That can produce tennis elbow, tendinitis in the shoulder, or both. Next, check with a tennis pro to see if you're using the right racket and proper string tension for your body and the type of game you play, suggests Mark Kaufman, a physical therapist in Chicago and a consultant to World Team Tennis. And, when you do buy a new racket, remember that you need a get-acquainted period. Each racket causes your body to make mechanical adjustments to each stroke. Give your muscles and connective tissues a week or two to adjust before you go out and play five sets.
Shoulder impingement sinks a lot of serious adult swimmers.
Muscles and connective tissues inside the shoulder capsule swell up and rub against bone, which causes more swelling. And it also leads to scar-tissue buildup, which changes the way the muscles move and nerves react. Incorporate additional strokes into each workout. Don't focus on one stroke until a shoulder problem develops. The backstroke and breaststroke work your shoulder muscles differently, giving them a break.