Swimming is a weight-supported sport, generally considered low-impact for the joints, but the swimming stroke repeats the arm cocking motion several thousand times per session: that’s what makes it one of the most demanding sports for the shoulder, to the point that people sometimes talk about “swimmer’s shoulder”. HOPP was designed by FIFA-certified sports physios to help you understand your injury and get back to it without getting hurt a second time.
The most common swimming injuries
The shoulder is the area most often affected in swimming, due to the very high volume of repeated rotations in every session.
The most common, and why
Supraspinatus tendinopathy
— the swimmer’s signature injury, linked to shoulder rotation volume.Shoulder impingement
— common with a scapular mobility deficit or imperfect swimming technique.Pes anserine tendinopathy
— knee overuse specific to breaststroke, from the whip kick motion.Low back pain
— common in backstroke and butterfly, from repeated spinal hyperextension.Rotator cuff deficiency
— progressive weakening linked to training volume without compensating strengthening work.
Find your swimming injury
7 swimming-related injuries are covered by the HOPP app. Select the one that matches your situation to access dedicated content: how the injury happens, the likely cause, and a suitable programme.
Not sure exactly what you have?
Take the HOPP test and get a clear answer about your injury.
Cause #1: poorly paced swim volume or imperfect technique
Unsuitable equipment, lack of warm-up: these factors play a role, but the most common cause of swimming injuries lies elsewhere. In the vast majority of cases, it’s swim volume increased too quickly, combined with a scapular mobility deficit or imperfect stroke technique, that overloads the rotator cuff.
The most common mistakes
Increasing swim volume (number of lengths) too quickly
Neglecting mobility and strengthening work for the rotator cuff
Repeating imperfect stroke technique without correction
Stacking intense sessions without a recovery day for the shoulder
HOPP physio tip
before blaming just your training volume, the first question to ask yourself is almost always the same: are my stroke technique and shoulder mobility suited to this volume? That’s the factor most often at fault, and also the easiest to fix once identified.
The risks of doing nothing
Continuing to swim without understanding what’s going on is never a good strategy. Without proper care, a swimming injury almost always follows the same script.
What you risk without proper care
An injury that gets worse if you keep swimming without adjusting your load
A longer recovery period than with prompt care
A higher risk of relapse on your return, if the cause hasn’t been treated
HOPP takes care of every swimmer profile
A club swimmer stacking twice-daily sessions, a casual swimmer doing a few lengths a week, someone returning to swimming for rehab: every profile has different needs, but none is left out by HOPP.
The profiles HOPP supports
How HOPP supports you, day after day
Since volume and technique are the leading causes of swimming injuries, it’s also the first thing HOPP helps you manage better. Every morning, you indicate how you feel, and your programme adjusts accordingly: a bit more load if all is well, a bit less if the shoulder is complaining. The programme helps you find the right dosage, session after session.
Good to know
HOPP is an injury information tool designed by sports physiotherapists. It doesn’t replace a doctor’s opinion.
Frequently asked questions
Does HOPP replace a medical consultation?
No. HOPP is an injury information tool designed by sports physiotherapists, it doesn’t replace a doctor’s opinion. It gives you clear, quick guidance to understand your situation and know how to act, and directs you to a professional if needed.
Do I need to stop swimming completely during the programme?
Not necessarily. The programme adapts to your injury and how you feel each day: depending on the case, certain strokes (front crawl, butterfly) may be temporarily reduced in favour of others that load the shoulder less, rather than stopping swimming altogether.
I’m just starting out in swimming, is HOPP right for me?
Yes. The programme is calibrated to your actual practice, whether you’re just starting out or have been swimming at a club for years. It’s not designed only for experienced swimmers.
How long before I feel an improvement?
It depends on the injury and how long you’ve had it. You get a first clear explanation in 3 minutes, then the care programme gives you a realistic return trajectory, adjusted every day based on how you feel.
What if my condition doesn’t improve with the programme?
You can talk it through by teleconsultation with an expert sports physiotherapist to review your situation. HOPP also directs you to a medical consultation if your symptoms require it.
Is the 3-minute test really free?
Yes, the test that explains your injury is free and with no commitment. You then freely choose whether you want to start a suitable care programme.
Ready to get back to swimming without delay?
Start your personalised programme today, without waiting.