I have noticed recently on social media sites that swimming coaches and triathletes alike have been using terminology regarding the use of swim fins with adults and children as “damaging” and “dangerous.”As a Health care professional and also a swimming teacher this information is misleading and therefore evidence based research is required to help inform the public. Swimming is a fantastic sport that combines all body strength, flexibility and endurance and swimmers are unfortunately prone to overuse injuries affecting the shoulder mainly, hip and knee. The ankle makes up only 1% of swimming injuries with 90% of complaints by swimmers bringing them to the doctor and/or Osteopath generally being related to shoulder problems.
Swimming with fins helps us go faster. The fin increases the surface area, as well as the kicking intensity. It makes us flex point our toes naturally, so our forward movement is faster. Consistent plantar flexion or pointing of our toes lengthens our legs muscles, especially tibialis anterior and mobilises the ankle or the talo-crural joint.Good swimmers, on the other hand, can hyperextend (plantar flex) their ankles, pointing their toes so that the top of the foot forms a straight line with the shin. Because of the extra load from the increased surface area that fins provide, swimming or kicking with fins forces ankle extension during the power phase (pushing down when swimming freestyle) of the kick. Repeated fin use eventually stretches the ankles, increasing their flexibility for moving in all directions and helping the kick become more propulsive and efficient.
The problem lies however in adults and less so in children if the ankle is restricted and fins are over used as it can lead in a few minor cases of what we call extensor tendonitis. Extensor tendinitis is inflammation of the extensor tendons which run along the top of the foot and straighten the toes. Pain is felt along the top of the foot.Treatment would involve rest, application of cold therapy during the acute stage followed by a full rehabilitation program by a qualified osteopath or physiotherapist including gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to improve the range of motion of the ankle.
There are several factors that can predispose a swimmer to developing an injury. Your Osteopath or Physiotherapist is highly trained in identifying these and correcting them to reduce your risk of developing an injury. Some of the factors that can contribute to the development of an injury include:
- Poor rehabilitation following a previous injury
- Joint stiffness or swelling
- Muscle tightness
- Bony anomalies
- Poor motor control and motor planning
- Inadequate joint range of motion especially the ankle
- Inadequate recovery periods from training and racing
- Poor warm up / warm down
- Over reliance on training aids
So whilst it is important not to rely too much on training aids to improve ankle mobility there is no long term damaging or as I have heard it described as “ruining” an athlete.It is more important nonthless that coaches are more aware of abnormal kicking mechanics seen often in swimmers with knee pain rather than foot/ankle pain.For example-
- Swimmers with medial patellar facet pain keeping their hips more abducted and utilizing greater hip and knee flexion
- Swimmers with knee pain performing breast stroke with high angular velocities at the hip and knee and increased external tibial rotation
So in conclusion at Rothery Health we can assess you for bio mechanical weaknesses that may cause injury while swimming with fins and can treat and help improve flexibility/strength.Fins are not dangerous and can be used as a training tool . However if at any time you feel a sharp pain in your back, neck, knees or ankles whilst using them then consult one of our osteopaths immediately.
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Rushall BS (2013). Relevant Training Effects in Pool Swimming: Ultra-short Race-Pace Training (Revised), Swimming Science Bulletin, 40b http://coachsci.sdsu.edu/swim/bullets/ultra40b.pdf
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Tovin BJ (2006). Prevention and Treatment of Swimmer’s Shoulder. North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 1(4): 166-175.
Wanivenhaus F, Fox AJS, Chaudhury S, Rodeo SA (2012). Epidemiology of Injuries and Prevention Strategies in Competitive Swimmers. Sports Health. May 2012; 4(3): 246–251.
