• Reductions observed in swim stroke length with fatigue. • Reductions observed in external rotation range of motion of both arms with fatigue. • Reduction observed in joint position sense of dominant arm. • No changes observed in isometric strength with fatigue. Purpose: To investigate the effects of training induced fatigue on shoulder strength, ROM, joint position sense, and stroke length in elite competitive swimmers. Methods: Seventeen national level swimmers performed maximum isometric strength (internal and external rotation), ROM, and joint position sense tests before and after a fatiguing 8 100 m training set. Stroke length, heart rate, blood lactate and blood glucose levels were recorded throughout. Results: Peak blood lactate, blood glucose levels, and heart rate increased significantly (P < 0.001) posttraining confirming fatigue. Reductions were observed in stroke length of both arms (P < 0.001), external rotation range of motion (P < 0.001, 5.29 , Right shoulder; P ¼ 0.04, 3.18 , Left shoulder) and joint position sense in their dominant (breathing side) arm (P ¼ 0.03). Conclusions: This investigation revealed a reduction in stroke length across both arms and also an arm bias in swimming whereby a greater reduction in both external rotation range and joint position sense was observed in the dominant arm when fatigued. This has highlighted a relationship between fatigue and potential mechanism of shoulder pathology in swimmers.
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