Invisible Injuries in Artistic Swimming

Invisible Injuries in Artistic Swimming: Awareness, Resources, and Safety Measures

By Kate Mortell, MS

Artistic swimming (previously generally known as synchronized swimming) on the floor seems as a innocent showcase of extraordinary poise and expertise—a dramatic show of grasp showmanship and athleticism that’s nothing in need of gorgeous.

Drawing from a plethora of various disciplines, inventive swimming combines quick swimming with ballet and acrobatics, all carried out in excellent synch to fastidiously chosen music. This mixture is what constitutes this magnificent sport. Far from being considered as merely pomp and pageantry, inventive swimming has added a level of athleticism that has earned the respect of coaches world wide.

Its worldwide recognition was validated when it turned an official Olympic sport in 1984 on the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The solo and duet occasions debuted, however these occasions have been changed by the crew occasion (comprising eight swimmers) in 1996 on the Olympic Games in Atlanta. The International Olympic Committee (IOC)) reinstated the duet occasion in 2000 on the Sydney Games.

Per Bryanna Fogel, coach of the Madison (N.J.) YMCA Rays inventive swimming crew: “Artistic swimmers have one goal and that is to take what’s difficult and make it look effortless.”

Constantly altering requirements have made judging extra goal than subjective. Swimmers must be sooner, stronger, and nearer collectively whereas trying riskier acrobatics. The calls for embrace catapulting one or two swimmers out of the water, the place they should descend exactly again down into the arms of the throwers. Suspense and the component of shock preserve followers on the sting of their seats. Unfortunately, one minute error can result in accidents, reminiscent of crashing into the pool wall, the underside of the pool, or one other swimmer. Such accidents generally happen and infrequently result in a concussion.

Multiple smaller accidents to the top in succession, although not identified as concussions, have the potential to trigger everlasting harm to the creating mind. Fogel is conscious of the upper dangers inside the sport: “As the sport evolves and has become more difficult, concussions have increased.”

Research means that greater than 50 p.c of all youth sports activities concussions could go unreported. Time to sound the alarm! There are many causes for this strategy. At the highest of the listing is the worry of disappointing a coach, a father or mother or each, coupled with the athletes’ worry of shedding their standing on the crew. Left to undergo in silence, whereas additionally placing teammates in danger, is the results of protecting accidents secret. All sports activities have a tradition. In aquatic sports activities, whether or not spoken or not, “don’t stop, no matter what” and “don’t tell” are underlying expectations that contribute to the hesitancy in talking up. As a former aggressive swimmer, many years later,  I hear these mantras ring in my ear after I swim.  

USA Artistic Swimming is intensifying its efforts to reduce the danger of mind accidents and forestall delayed medical interventions. It has joined forces with TeachAids, a web-based academic useful resource for concussion consciousness and assist. TeachAids affords a free on-line course, titled CrashCourse, which is designed to take the thriller out of mind accidents—sometimes called the invisible accidents. Fogel states: “We often direct our swimmers to educate themselves by reading the material TeachAids provides.” Accidents are going to occur in any sport, and once they do happen, coaches and athletes have to observe customary protocols. These steps embrace understanding when a swimmer must cease, exit the pool, and search rapid medical consideration.

More, USA Artistic Swimming has teamed up with Hammer Head Swim Capsm, which manufactures and distributes silicone caps. These caps present a skinny, honeycombed layer of padding designed to forestall the total impression of a blow to the top.

Heather Olson, three-time USA Artistic Olympic gold medalist and Head Coach of the Walnut Creek Aquanauts, has acknowledged: “Every effort to reduce head impact injuries means more time in the pool as a team maximizing competitive success. My swimmers wear Hammer Heads and say they feel safer and are especially beneficial for bases and flyers.”

Current analysis signifies that 70 p.c of youth athletes drop out of organized sports activities by the age of 13. Though there are totally different causes for these departures, creating athletes generally see the extent of dedication that may be required in the event that they proceed and determine towards it. Whether the younger athletes stick with crew sports activities or not, the rise of accidents that accompanies subsequent stage coaching shouldn’t be misplaced on them.

As safeguards are extra extensively carried out, potential swimmers will proceed to be drawn to the game. Current swimmers will enhance the chance of attaining their objectives and aspirations. Veteran coaches and swimmers set the tone and lead by instance. Studies on concussions in inventive swimming have been minimal. However, on a optimistic observe, TeachAids has opened up a brand new institute for Brain Research and Innovation. Its mission is to enhance concussion reporting. Deeper analysis on the underlying causes and circumstances is contingent upon extra vigilant and constant documentation from coaches.

Recommendations for when an injured athlete is ready to re-enter the pool should come from a crew or household doctor. Re-entering too quickly may cause re-injury and additional setbacks. Fogel famous: “Our team requires both a statement from the doctor and school that the athlete is ready to resume practices.”

We can all contribute to a safer and extra fulfilling expertise for our athletes whereas getting ready them for future successes. Secrets don’t have any place in sports activities. Being accessible  for open and non-judgmental dialog builds secure relationships. Ultimately, this strategy opens the door to earlier interventions and higher outcomes.

Let’s keep in mind, it’s the athletes’ careers they’re navigating, not ours.

Author Kate Mortell is a contract author and former All- American swimmer devoted to the event of wholesome youth athletes.