What’s the Best Shoulder Support for Sports?

The shoulder plays a vital role in most sporting activities due to its freedom of motion and functions involved in throwing, lifting, pushing, and pulling movements. It enables overhead shooting in basketball, transfers power in weightlifting, stabilizes arms in archery, and more.

Since the shoulder plays a vital role in athletic activities, it is crucial to protect the area and its function to prevent injury. Among various solutions to avoid injuries, using excellent-quality shoulder support for sports could ensure less muscle damage during such activities.

So, in today's article, we are going to talk about common shoulder injuries when doing sports and the advantages of using shoulder support in sports. Let’s delve in!

Typical Shoulder Injuries in Sports

1. Rotator Cuff Tears

Common Causes: Muscle pulls, strains, and sprains when doing repetitive work motions and lifting heavy objects

Symptoms: Burning, aching, CES 4 pain in the upper arm and hand, and difficulty raising the arm

2. Shoulder Dislocation

Common Causes: Fractures, concussions, and other injuries from falling off and colliding with opponents in contact sports

Symptoms: Severe pain that could not be relieved with Paracetamol, inability to move the affected arm or lift it off the bed, and swelling of the affected area

3. Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Common Causes: Repetitive overhead activities, posture defects, and deformities

Symptoms: Pain, especially during the arm lifting motion, preferably if it has to be over the head and during night sleep

4. Shoulder Fractures

Common Causes: Contact with the ground, passing cars, or other objects in case of a fall or collision

Symptoms: Some of the delayed signs include severe pain, swelling on the affected area, formation of a bruise around the shoulder, and finally, the inability to move the shoulder joint

5. Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Injuries

Common Causes: Direct impact to the shoulder, impact on the shoulder while the arm is locked in an extended position, or directly hitting the shoulder on a raised arm, such as when trying to stop a door.

Symptoms: Pain at the shoulder joint, stiffness combined with inflammation, and noticeable prominence or shift in the shoulder shape.

These injuries make it essential to protect and continue preserving the health of the shoulder joints when participating in sport-related activities. This way, they can be used a maximum number of times with less damage in future activities.

Sports That Benefit from Shoulder Braces

To prevent shoulder injuries, good quality shoulder support for sports can work effectively. There are different types, including the shoulder brace to prevent dislocation during sports. If you find yourself engaged in the following activities, buying a shoulder brace support can be beneficial to you!

Basketball

The shoulder is critical in basketball because it is used for shooting, passing, dribbling, and even rebounding. These activities put a lot of stress on the joint and demand a lot of muscle power, which is why the shoulder is prone to injuries like rotator cuff tears and dislocations.

The shoulder supports for sports are movement restrictors in basketball because they keep certain body parts in place, thus minimizing the impact in the event of an injury. They can also provide compression for pain and inflammation relief to enhance players' performance and treat injuries, if any.

Badminton

The repetitive movement of the upper limbs involved in badminton, such as smashes and serve, has considerable stress on the shoulder joint. This sport involves the need for strength and accuracy, which gives the athlete a tendency towards shoulder impingement syndrome.

Wearing shoulder support for sports while playing badminton can be beneficial because high-impact activities may strain the joint when worn out, and the brace can help avoid overuse activities that can cause injuries. It provides the support required without hindrance to the side-to-side movement needed in rapid, dynamic games.

Volleyball

Volleyball players undergo overhead serves, spikes, and blocks, which require rotator cuff strength and flexibility. Such recurrent and forceful motions put pressure on the muscles on the rotator cuff and the shoulder blades, resulting in impingement.

Shoulder braces in volleyball involve straps that offer support and pressure on the shoulder to prevent the working of muscles in the area and, as such, keep off injuries. They also reduce the possibility of pain and swelling and enable the players to stay on the field without compromising their shoulder health.

Wrestling

Wrestling involves grappling, which puts a lot of pressure on the shoulders. Wrestlers are particularly vulnerable to shoulder dislocations, AC joint injuries, and fractures because of the rigidity involved in wrestling.

The shoulder brace for wrestling offers significant stability in the wrestling ring as it cushions the shoulder from shocks or forceful movements. They aid in the correct position of the bones and provide the required pressure to reduce pain and swelling, enabling wrestlers to perform optimally during wrestling activities.

Bench Press

The bench press is a favored exercise among weightlifters and gym enthusiasts. It targets the shoulder muscles in particular, putting a lot of stress on them that can bring injuries such as rotator cuff tears and shoulder impingement.

A shoulder brace for working out during bench presses can help support the shoulder joint and minimize the chances of injury. It provides added stability and support to the shoulder joint, reducing the risk of injury by maintaining proper alignment and distributing the load more evenly. The brace also helps reduce discomfort, allowing those lifting to do so to the best of their capabilities.

In all these sports, shoulder support for sports performs various functions, such as stabilization, compression, and support. They also assist in minimizing injury, controlling unfavorable motion, decreasing stress on the shoulder joint, and helping in recovery. Thus, by using shoulder braces, athletes can preserve their shoulder function and remain active and productive during sporting activities with fewer chances of injury.

Fivali’s Shoulder Support for Sports

We, Fivali, are proud to offer the best shoulder braces for working out in various models and types. Our product category on shoulder support for sports caters to athletes' various needs depending on the sport they are involved in. Here’s how:

1. Close-Fitting Comfort

Fivali’s shoulder brace is designed for a snug fit. They afford the needed elasticity for movements in games such as basketball and badminton because it is made from a soft, flexible material.

It can make you feel that this shoulder support for sports is hugging your body contour, and it does not hinder the athletes' movements. So, this design helps players cover every aspect of their body while in the game, yet they can move flexibly.

2. Durability and Stability

Comfort and stability define Fivali’s shoulder brace for sports, which are made from durable and robust materials. These braces are designed for rigorous use in activities such as wrestling and weightlifting.

The enhanced quality further guarantees a better experience for stabilizing the shoulder joint because it facilitates the limitation of joint motion within the necessary range. You can trust that Fivali’s products are always manufactured to last and can be used intensively, which makes them ideal for serious sportsmen.

3. Breathability

Another important aspect of our shoulder support for sports is breathability. We utilize elastic and lightweight fabrics with SBR, nylon, and other materials so that the air can pass through and cool the skin.

This is particularly advantageous to athletes involved in long-duration activities with intense movements, like volleyball. This design is essential in ensuring that users do not feel an itch on their skin while using the products.

4. Adjustability

Our shoulder support products also possess high levels of adjustability that may suit every athlete’s needs and requirements when doing sports. Among Fivali’s shoulder support for sports, there are options with straps and closings that enable users to adjust the fit for optimal comfort and protection.

This adjustability is critical to ensuring the level of support and compression given to the individual is optimal. These can be easily adjusted for an individual to get the proper support regardless of the extent of the injury, be it just a strain, a sprain, or something more severe.

Exercises for Shoulder Health

After understanding the common shoulder injuries caused by sports and Fivali’s shoulder support for sports, here is one more thing you should know: how to keep your shoulder in top condition, whether you're aiming to prevent injuries or recover from them. Here’s how:

In Daily Life: Targeted Shoulder Strengthening Exercises

Consistent strengthening exercises can fortify the muscles surrounding your shoulder, enhancing stability and reducing the risk of injuries. Incorporate these exercises into your daily routine:

1. Rotator Cuff Strengthening

External Rotations: Use a resistant band or some light dumbbells. Keep your elbow at a 90-degree angle, then rotate your arm outward and return slowly.

Internal Rotations: Similarly, rotate your arm inward with the resistance band or weights, strengthening the opposite set of muscles.

2. Scapular Stabilization

Shoulder Blade Squeezes: First, sit or stand with a good gesture, then pinch your shoulder blades together, hold for five seconds, and release.

Prone Y, T, and W Raises: Lying face down, lift your arms in Y, T, and W shapes to target various shoulder muscles.

3. Deltoid Strengthening

Lateral Raises: Hold dumbbells at your sides, then lift your arms to shoulder height and slowly lower them.

Front Raises: Lift the dumbbells in front of you to shoulder height and lower them back down.

Before Sports Activities: Proper Shoulder Warm-up

Warming up before sports activities is crucial for the shoulder muscles and joints. Follow this shoulder-specific warm-up routine:

1. Dynamic Stretching

Arm Circles: Perform small to large circles with your arms to increase blood flow and flexibility.

Cross-Body Arm Exercise: Swing your arms across your body and out to the sides to loosen the muscles.

2. Light Resistance Exercises

Band Pull-Aparts: Hold an elastic band with both hands, stretch it by pulling your hands apart, and return slowly.

Band External Rotations: Attach a band to a fixed point and perform external rotations as part of your warm-up.

3. Mobility Drills

Shoulder Pass-Throughs: Using a stick or band, pass it over your head and behind your back, maintaining straight arms to improve shoulder mobility.

When You Get Hurt: Consult a Healthcare Professional

If you sustain a shoulder injury during sports, it's crucial to seek professional medical advice. Here's what to do:

1. Initial Care

Rest: Avoid using the injured shoulder to prevent further damage.

Ice: Apply ice packs to reduce swell and pain.

Compression: Use the bandage to minimize swelling.

Elevation: Keep the shoulder elevated if possible.

2. Seek Professional Help

Diagnosis: Consult a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or physical therapist, to accurately diagnose the injury.

Treatment Plan: Physical therapy, medications, or, in severe cases, surgery.

3. Rehabilitation

Physical Therapy: Engage in prescribed rehabilitation exercises to restore strength, flexibility, and function.

Gradual Return to Activity: Follow your healthcare provider’s advice on when and how to return to sports activities safely.

When sporting, every organ and bone is moving. The power from the shoulder gives you strength. However, it is also fragile to get injuries. Understanding how the injuries are caused is quite significant for lowering the chances of getting hurt.

One of the effective ways is wearing shoulder support for sports. And we, Fivali, have been a professional manufacturer majoring in sports braces for years. You can trust us and our best shoulder support for sports. If you are interested, please browse our official website to get more product information and contact us today!