Article

The aim of our study was to evaluate adaptive changes in the dominant shoulders
of female professional overhead athletes, their mutual association, and relation
between adaptive changes and shoulder injury. Thirty-six female professional
volleyball and handball players were divided into two groups: 14 athletes were
included in the symptomatic group (positive shoulder injury history and specific
shoulder tests) and 22 athletes were included in the asymptomatic group (negative
shoulder injury history and specific shoulder tests). Clinical examinations with
specific shoulder tests, evaluation of rotational mobility, and symptoms of
malposition and dyskinesis of the dominant scapula (SICK scapula syndrome) were
performed. Glenohumeral rotators were isokinetically tested at 60 and 150 degrees
/s, with evaluation of stability ratios and rotator fatigability. On average, the
participants had decreased internal rotation (P<0.001) and increased external
rotation (P<0.001), lower spiking (P<0.01 at 60 and 150 degrees /s) and
conventional ratios (P</=0.01 at 60 and 150 degrees /s), lower eccentric external
rotator peak torques (eER) (P</=0.05 at 60 and 150 degrees /s), and marginally
lower eccentric internal rotator peak torques at 60 degrees /s (P=0.061) on the
dominant side compared with the nondominant side. The symptomatic group showed
decreased ER (P=0.021), higher deficit of dominant eER at 60 degrees /s
(P=0.049), and higher fatigability of internal (P=0.013) and external rotators
(P=0.028). The athletes with increased ER had more scapular lateralization
(rho=0.340, P=0.042), higher spiking ratios at 60 degrees /s (rho=0.349, P=0.037)
and 150 degrees /s (rho=0.330, P=0.049), and lower cocking ratios at 60 degrees
/s (rho=-0.477, P=0.003). Decreased dominant ER, higher deficit of dominant
eccentric ER peak torques, and higher dominant rotator fatigability correlate
with previous shoulder pain/injury. Different adaptive changes (rotational
mobility, SICK scapula signs, and glenohumeral muscular imbalance) are inter-related. As a form of both prevention and rehabilitation for the athletes at risk, we recommend individually adjusted shoulder training on the basis of clinical and isokinetic testing.
- Volley - Handball

Langue : ANGLAIS