rounded shoulders and kitesurfing

[fun2kite]

Hi all,

To set the stage..

I have recently started to exercise more specifically doing more pull-ups. And I found myself hurting in one or two shoulders. While doing research I realized I have rounded shoulders and thus I am prone to injury when doing exercises. Started looking at ways to correct rounded shoulders and found exercises.. Some listed in the link below.

But also all sources say you need to prevent the source of rounded shoulders like trying to sit straight, keep your shoulders back etc..
Then it just occurred to me that pretty much every weekend, I spend hours kitesurfing with my hands in-front of me holding the bar and pretty much with shoulders shifted forward.
What I regarded as good exercise all of a sudden potentially seem as a major contributing factor to rounded shoulders problem I have.

Have anyone ever thought of our position while riding being contributing factor to rounded shoulders? Especially if you ride depowered and your hands are really extended..

I started thinking on ways to minimize rounded shoulders, while kitesurfing and starting this thread to discuss this issue. (if anyone else agree that this is indeed our sports partially induced problem)
I have never seen this angle of riding being discussed in the community. (did the search)

I gave it some though and think below could help to reduce chances of aggravating the issue which most of us already have while working with a computer..

1. Ride smaller kites (underpowered), reduce the need of hands fully extended forward and causing shoulders to move forward.
2. Ride bars with a smaller throw.. (or modify bar with a smaller throw) to prevent hands being overextended. Also make sure to buy a correct bar as many bars throw could be too big for people with shorter hands or women?
3. ride more with one hand.. (let the shoulder drop back for the hand that is not holding the bar.
4. Ride toe side more.. (while in that position, your shoulder position is reversed.
5. less unhooked riding.. (for same reasons )
6. ride with a trim that allows your hands to be closer to the body.
7. Hydrofoil allows for less forward pulling of shoulders.

Any thoughts from any doctors here if above makes sense?
Also any additional ideas on what else can be adjusted to minimize rounded shoulders aggravation while kitesurfing?



What is "Rounded Shoulders" ?

While some people can train themselves to pull their shoulders back while pretending to squeeze a golf ball between their shoulder blades, the rest of us spend extended periods slouching in front of a computer, with our shoulders forward and down.
Unfortunately, poor posture from rounded shoulders becomes a habit that can trigger everything from neck pain and headaches to lower back strain and poor circulation.


General Exercises for addressing rounded shoulders problems:
https://www.healthline.com/health/round ... all-slides


Regards,
-D.

[fun2kite]

Hi all,

To set the stage..

I have recently started to exercise more specifically doing more pull-ups. And I found myself hurting in one or two shoulders. While doing research I realized I have rounded shoulders and thus I am prone to injury when doing exercises. Started looking at ways to correct rounded shoulders and found exercises.. Some listed in the link below.

But also all sources say you need to prevent the source of rounded shoulders like trying to sit straight, keep your shoulders back etc..
Then it just occurred to me that pretty much every weekend, I spend hours kitesurfing with my hands in-front of me holding the bar and pretty much with shoulders shifted forward.
What I regarded as good exercise all of a sudden potentially seem as a major contributing factor to rounded shoulders problem I have.

Have anyone ever thought of our position while riding being contributing factor to rounded shoulders? Especially if you ride depowered and your hands are really extended..

I started thinking on ways to minimize rounded shoulders, while kitesurfing and starting this thread to discuss this issue. (if anyone else agree that this is indeed our sports partially induced problem)
I have never seen this angle of riding being discussed in the community. (did the search)

I gave it some though and think below could help to reduce chances of aggravating the issue which most of us already have while working with a computer..

1. Ride smaller kites (underpowered), reduce the need of hands fully extended forward and causing shoulders to move forward.
2. Ride bars with a smaller throw.. (or modify bar with a smaller throw) to prevent hands being overextended. Also make sure to buy a correct bar as many bars throw could be too big for people with shorter hands or women?
3. ride more with one hand.. (let the shoulder drop back for the hand that is not holding the bar.
4. Ride toe side more.. (while in that position, your shoulder position is reversed.
5. less unhooked riding.. (for same reasons )
6. ride with a trim that allows your hands to be closer to the body.
7. Hydrofoil allows for less forward pulling of shoulders.
8. cross train surfing.. (not kitesurfing, but helps to combat rounded shoulders)

Any thoughts from any doctors here if above makes sense?
Also any additional ideas on what else can be adjusted to minimize rounded shoulders aggravation while kitesurfing?



What is "Rounded Shoulders" ?

While some people can train themselves to pull their shoulders back while pretending to squeeze a golf ball between their shoulder blades, the rest of us spend extended periods slouching in front of a computer, with our shoulders forward and down.
Unfortunately, poor posture from rounded shoulders becomes a habit that can trigger everything from neck pain and headaches to lower back strain and poor circulation.


General Exercises for addressing rounded shoulders problems:
https://www.healthline.com/health/round ... all-slides


Regards,
-D.

[edt]

You have a muscle imbalance. Weight training specifically for kiteboarding is bad. That is only doing pull ups and those ball exercises to mimic the way that kiteboard works your body is bad for injury prevention and posture. What you want is to exercise the muscles kiteboarding doesn't work. So if kiting works the biceps then work the triceps. If kiting works the quads then your exercise needs to work the hamstrings. This will put your body back in balance and reduce chance of injury.

Practically speaking you don't actually want to target any specific muscle group. To put your body back in balance exercise using compound exercises

Pullups
Squats
Bench press
Pushups
Overhead press

You can substitute whatever exercises you wish but they need to be compound exercises. Don't give up on pullups just change your routine so that you body gets a balanced workout.

Stance while kiting doesn't matter. It's the imbalance in muscle groups which is the problem. If you see what bicyclists look like they have tiny little arms huge quads tiny hamstrings. Kiting does the same it only works some muscles and we get an imbalanced physique. Most people don't kite enough that it's a problem but if you kite and also are doing kite specific exercises that will lead to an imbalance.

[Okkiteboarder]

Fun2kite, I am a physio and I put a video out last year about posture and the kiter. Maybe it is of some benefit.

[MattyM]

Rounded shoulders is a common postural issue due to our lifestyles hunched over computers and mobile devices. Not only can poor posture result in back issues, but also looks awful.

You need to do Pilates.

Shameless plug - my wife is a great instructor: https://www.janem.co.uk/jane247/

[jumptheshark]

Right in my wheelhouse !

Foundation Training

It's the most succinct system of exercise I’ve found to directly combat our current common postural faults.

If sitting is the new smoking, kiting is damn near a fine cigar.

[TheJoe]

Hips up, back straight and shoulders pulled back. I am all way telling beginners this. Even powered up this how you should be riding. Trim the kite for where you want your bar not for power. It is a trim line not a de-power rope.

[fun2kite]

Thank you for putting it together! Will watch tonight ..

Fun2kite, I am a physio and I put a video out last year about posture and the kiter. Maybe it is of some benefit.

[Dave_5280]

[jedi1]

There are a few things.

- proper stance like mentioned by TheJoe
- kite with a light bar pressure and/or set them to light on bridle settings
- strong back (add deadlifts to the list of edt)
- short chickenloop (and/or a short hook)
- a seat harness would help too
- don't do 3 hour+ sessions