Kayak Shoulder Injuries

Kayaking can put strain on shoulder muscles.

Kayaking is a water sport that uses the upper body muscles. This includes the torso, back, arms and shoulders. Injuring the shoulder is an issue for kayakers.

Types of Shoulder Injuries

The most common shoulder injury is a sprain. A shoulder sprain causes slight swelling and tenderness around the collarbone. Mild pain when shrugging or moving the arm can also occur. A more severe injury is a shoulder dislocation. According to the Mayo Clinic website, the signs of a shoulder dislocation include a visibly deformed shoulder, intense pain, swelling, bruising and inability to raise the arm.

Causes

The repetitive paddling motion can lead to overuse and strain of the shoulder muscles, according to Dr. Craig Wassinger in his doctoral dissertation for the University of Pittsburgh. Improper paddling technique can also lead to injury.

Overtraining

If injury to the shoulder reoccurs on a regular basis, it is a sign of overtraining and not allowing the muscles time to heal, according to Lynda Lehmann, Western Australian Institute of Sport's (WAIS) assistant kayak coach and a two-time competitor in the Olympic Games.

Treatment

Sprains should be treated with rest for a couple of weeks. If pain persists, an MRI or CT scan may be required to properly diagnose the injury. In the event of a dislocation, surgery may be required.

Prevention/Solutions

Lynda Lehmann, WAIS assistant kayak coach, recommends a minimum of a 10-minute warmup to prepare the shoulder muscles and upper torso for a kayaking session. According to Sea Kayaker magazine, effective warmup techniques to loosen up the torso include doing slow spins, stroke-blending and blade finesse drills.

References

• Biomechanical and Physical Characteristics of Whitewater Kayakers With and Without Shoulder Pain
• Lynda Lehmann: Injury Prevention
• Seakayaker Magazine: Technique

Resources

• American Kayaking Association
• Mayo Clinic: Shoulder Dislocation