With the weather finally warming up swimming is an ideal way to get a full body workout. Unfortunately due to the repetitive nature of swimming overuse injuries in the shoulder and neck are common. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with a ring of cartilage around the socket to make the joint more stable. Around this is a loose joint capsule that is reinforced with ligaments and muscles. Because the shoulder is a very mobile joint it relies on the action of these muscles and ligaments to maintain stability. These muscles are called the rotator cuff and consist of four muscles that work together to keep your shoulder centred in its socket.

So, if swimming strengthens the shoulder muscles why do so many swimmers have shoulder problems? The simple answer is due to the repetitive nature of swimming. The more complex answer lies in the fact that many swimmers don’t have good stroke technique and those that do can still have problems because the swim stroke (in particular freestyle), mainly strengthens the shoulder internal rotators and adductors. This causes muscle imbalance, leaving the scapular stabilisers and external rotators relatively weak and joint laxity increases. The rotator cuff then must
work harder to keep the shoulder centred in the socket. When the already relatively weakened external rotators fatigue the ball of the shoulder joint moves forward and the tendon of the rotator cuff muscles is pinched
between the bones as the hand is raised above shoulder height.

Next column I will cover some practical ways to prevent this happening and what to do if you already have impingement problems.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

Next Saturday the Parkes Aquatic Centre is holding the Shire’s biggest pool party, the Big Summer Splash. Parkes Shire Council, in partnership with the Community Drug Action Team (CDAT), are hosting the outdoor event for students aged 10 – 18 years. Member of the Parkes Pool and Youth Committees, Cr Patrica Smith said this was a great opportunity for Parkes Shire youth to cool off and kick back to some live entertainment.

“Parkes Aquatic Centre will be extending its opening hours into the night to host the Shire’s biggest pool party. The cost is just pool entry which grants you access to the giant inflatable slide until sundown, a sausage sizzle, and a front row seat to the gig.” Local acoustic duo, Salt to the Wound, will be performing live from 7pm to 10pm.

The Junior Splash Party for 10 to 12 year olds will be from 6 to 8pm, and the Senior Splash Party for 13 to 18 year olds is from 8pm-10pm. Members of CDAT will be cooking the free barbeque, while the Poolside Café will be open for everything else. The event is part of CDAT’s efforts to prevent young people from engaging in anti-social behaviour, by providing engaging, alcohol and drug-free activities for the community. For more information,
www.visitparkes.com.au. #Visit-Parkes #BigSummerSplash

Parkes local and tennis stalwart Helen Magill won a prestigious award at the Australian Tennis Awards in Melbourne on Monday night. Helen, who runs the Parkes Tennis Club, won the Newcombe Award for Coaching Excellence – Club at a glittering event at the Palladium Ballroom at Melbourne’s Crown Entertainment Complex.

The Newcombe Medal at the Australian Tennis Awards presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the year in tennis with legends of the past and the greats of today. Awards were presented in 14 categories. Paralympic gold medallist and Australian Open champion Dylan Alcott winning the 2016 Newcombe Medal, the highest honour in Australian tennis.

Meals on Wheels hosted a Christmas lunch on Wednesday, but it was the volunteers’ turn to receive a meal. Eighty-six of the Meals on Wheels volunteers came together for the luncheon filling the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club with Christmas cheer and plenty of good will. Meals on Wheels Manager Gillian Kinsella said it was wonderful to provide a meal for them. “We really appreciate what they do,” she said. “Without our wonderful volunteers the service couldn’t run.”

The volunteers deliver 300 hot and frozen meals each week in Parkes alone, providing a vital service to the local community. The service isn’t just about supplying nutritious food, Meals on Wheels allows people to remain in their own homes, helping them to maintain their independence for as long as possible. The volunteers also offer social
interaction, and can provide important social analysis and welfare checks to clients who might otherwise be isolated.

While Wednesday’s luncheon was about showing gratitude to the volunteers, the service’s clients weren’t forgotten. On Thursday 150 Meals on Wheels patrons were invited to celebrate Christmas at another special luncheon at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club. This time it was the clients who were delivered to their meals, with transport specially organised for the clients who were able to attend. Meals on Wheels also operates in Peak Hill, Trundle, Tullamore and Bogan Gate.

By Raen Fraser

This festive season will be filled to the brim with things to do, see and enjoy across the Parkes Shire. Christmas events will kick off on Friday, 2nd December with the Parkes Christmas Parade, followed by Sparkle in the Park UpMarkets and outdoor movie, The Santa Clause, in Cooke Park. As the sun sets, the Parkes CBD will be ignited with illuminations and projections across buildings and streetscapes. On the same day, Peak Hill will come alive for the Meet You Up The Street Festival with street stalls, music, shopping and family fun.

The Parkes Shire will be Jingle Bell Rockin’ for this year’s Carols in the Park. Everyone is invited to sing along in Parkes on Sunday, 11th December and in Peak Hill on Sunday, 18th December. For more details, check out our events page on www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. Residents and visitors are encouraged to Shop Parkes this Christmas to stand a chance to win a fabulous trip to Las Vegas valued at $4,000! Shoppers can enter by simply making a purchase and filling out an entry form at any participating business.

Keep an eye out for the Shop Parkes Catalogue in your mailbox or download it online at visitparkes.com.au. Follow Shop Parkes on Facebook for lots of special offers and gift ideas this Christmas. Local businesses are encouraged to
deck out their shop fronts from 2nd to 24th December. The most creative CBD Christmas window display will be awarded a marketing package valued at $500 for the 2017 Christmas Shopping campaign.

The winner will be announced on the Shop Parkes Facebook page on Friday, 16th December 2016. #shopparkes