Does swimming make your shoulders broader?

Question

Which stroke exerts pressure on the shoulder?

Answer 1

Yes, it builds up muscle which makes them broader. I find freestyle works best

Answer 2

Depends on your definition of broader, from a skeletal prospective probably not significantly, from a muscular perspective, yes as swimming uses upper body muscle groups as a primary means of propulsion.

It is a bit of an illusion though that swimmers have broader shoulders than other athletes.  Swimmers tend to have leaner mass on the lower body and around the waist which creates a "V" effect making it look like they have significantly broader shoulders than other athletes.

As for which stroke exerts pressure on the shoulder, well they all do.  You use your elbow and shoulder as a fulcrum to create leverage and move yourself forward therefore most of the force of that movement is directly on those two joints.  Also because of the type of movement that is required in swimming where your arms are above your head, it creates impingment on the shoulder joint.  Swimming is not a "natural movement" as your are continually reaching above your head and pulling downward.  Shoulder injuries are common due to overexertion or overuse.

Answer 3

Yup it does broaden shoulders (muscles).  Butterfly can make shoulders broader.

Answer 4

yes, i agree with eternal swimmer though I think breastsroke works best... when I swim breaststroke my shoulders get tired more than if I'm swimming freestyle, even though my main/best stroke is breastsroke.

Answer 5

yes kinda and backstroke is a stroke for that

Answer 6

i can see butterfly being the stroke to really build upper body strength. fly was mainly my stroke and i have broad shoulders. not sure if i can blame it all on genetics or partly on the sport.