Injuries in competitive swimming.

ABSTRACT

Competitive swimming is commonly thought to be an injury-free sport. Traumatic and overuse injuries do occur, especially if one includes accidents occurring to both athletes and spectators, and accidents resulting from some of the newer diving and starting techniques. United States Swimming, Incorporated, the national governing body for competitive swimming, and provider of insurance coverage for most of the swimming clubs in the United States, keeps track of reported injuries to club members, and requires specific safety accreditation for member coaches. These data provide an informative view on injuries to competitive swimmers.