Which of the following activities is most likely to lead to shoulder impingement syndrome?

Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs when the shoulder tendons become irritated and inflamed as they pass through the shoulder joint, often leading to pain and discomfort. Swimming is particularly associated with this condition due to the repetitive overhead motions that swimmers perform while stroking through the water. These repetitive actions put the shoulder tendons in a vulnerable position, increasing the risk of them becoming compressed against the shoulder socket and leading to impingement.

The nature of swimming requires significant arm elevation and rotation, especially in strokes such as freestyle and butterfly. This consistent overhead movement can contribute to the inflammation and wear of the rotator cuff tendons, making swimming the activity most likely to lead to shoulder impingement syndrome.

While other activities like lifting weights can also impact the shoulder if performed improperly, they do not inherently involve the same degree of repetitive overhead motion characteristic of swimming. Cycling and running, on the other hand, primarily engage the lower body and involve less direct stress on the shoulder joints, making them less likely to cause shoulder impingement.