Swimming Stroke Evaluations

Teen athlete, wearing a cap and goggles, swimming in a pool

If your swimmer has pain or other symptoms, they may benefit from a swimming stroke evaluation. 

What Is a Swim Stroke Evaluation?

A physical therapist will review how your child moves in the water. Our team has special training to treat the unique demands of the swimming athlete.

Your child will be videotaped swimming above and under water. The video will be reviewed with the patient and family to check for:

  • Biomechanical deviations: This means any changes in how the swimmer’s body moves.
  • Pain caused by body movements when swimming.

After the evaluation, we will share a report and plan of care for the athlete’s family and referring health care provider.

Who Benefits From a Swim Stroke Evaluation?

Swimming athletes would find this evaluation most helpful if they are:

  • 8+ years old
  • Participating in competitive swim team
  • Swimming three or more days per week

A swim stroke evaluation may be helpful if your swimmer has:

  • Constant shoulder, elbow, forearm or wrist pain
  • Feelings of shoulder instability
  • Neck or upper back pain
  • Numbness/tingling down the arms
  • Constant knee pain
  • Trouble swimming due to soreness or weakness

Physical therapy often helps decrease pain and other symptoms before performing a swimming evaluation.

What Is Assessed at a Swim Stroke Evaluation?

  • Swimming stroke mechanics using video analysis software. (Swimming stroke mechanics refer to how a swimmer’s arms and legs work together to propel them through the water.)
  • Swim stroke form for freestyle and 1 to 2 other competitive strokes (backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly)
  • Spine, shoulder and elbow range of motion (ROM)
  • Shoulder, rotator cuff and scapular (shoulder blade) muscle strength
  • Posture
  • Core strength
  • Leg, ankle and foot flexibility and strength

Treatment

We will develop a personal treatment plan for each patient based on biomechanical deviations found during the swim stroke evaluation. These include any changes in how your child’s body's movements and mechanics work. The goal is to decrease pain and increase function to fully return to swimming practices and competitions.

  • Swimming-specific drills will be added to the patient’s physical therapy plan of care to address any swimming mechanics faults found during the evaluation.
  • Results will be shared with the patient’s primary physical therapist. The family can share these results with their child’s coach if they want.
  • The primary physical therapist will work on ways to improve your athlete’s range of motion, strength and mechanical faults related to stroke mechanics.