Swimmers Are At Risk For Stress Fractures? A Systematic Review

[摘要] Background: Stress fractures occur most commonly in the weight-bearing bones of thelower extremities. Swimming, a non-weight-bearing activity, is a potential activity formwhich associated with stress fractures? Objective: This systematic review aims to provide ananswer in the above question and also to identify the reported cases of stress fractures amongswimmers. Method: A systematic and comprehensive search was conducted using PubMedand Research Gate databases before January 2017. The search process was completed using thekeywords: “stress fracture”, “stress injury”, “fatigue fracture”, “swimming” and “swimmers”.Results: There have been only 10 studies describing stress fractures in swimmers. This raretype of injury is commonly diagnosed in the ribs of young competitive swimmers, irrespectiveof their preferred swimming stroke. The etiology is multifactorial and includes a combinationof intrinsic and/or extrinsic factors. Conclusion: Although any sport activity can potential causea stress fracture, competitive swimming seems to be relatively safe in this respect. Rib stressfractures appear as the most common stress fracture in competitive swimmers that cliniciansshould consider. A prompt diagnosis can shorten the time required for healing and decrease therisk of complication.

[关键词] Stress Fracture;Swimming;Biomechanics;Diagnosis;Treatment