Clinical Assessment of Scapula Motion: Scapula Upward Rotation and Relationship with Injury in Swimmers

Jo-Ann Brown; Rebecca Mellifont; Brendan J Burkett

doi:10.3390/sports4010008

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Clinical Assessment of Scapula Motion: Scapula Upward Rotation and Relationship with Injury in Swimmers

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Clinical Assessment of Scapula Motion: Scapula Upward Rotation and Relationship with Injury in Swimmers

Jo-Ann Brown, Rebecca Mellifont and Brendan J Burkett

Sports, Vol.4(1), 8

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports4010008

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

Human Movement and Sports Science

dominant limb

non-dominant limb

asymmetry of motion

scapula

scapula upward rotation

injury

paralympic swimmers

UniSC Diversity Area - Disability and Inclusion

Abnormal scapulothoracic mechanics and scapulohumeral rhythm are implicated in shoulder pathologies, including glenohumeral impingement and rotator cuff tears. Upward scapula rotation, specifically asymmetry of scapula motion and associations of patterns through range with injury, was investigated in dominant and non-dominant limbs of nationally ranked junior and Paralympic swimmers during competition season. The static and throughout phases measures of upward scapula rotation were: Phase I (start position, 45°), Phase II (45° to 90°), Phase III (90° to 135°) and Phase IV (135° to max). Injury was assessed with a validated questionnaire. Differences between side (dominant and non-dominant), group (junior and Paralympic), and phase were examined. Significant differences (P < 0.05) between groups were identified for dominant side at rest, 45° and 135°, and in phases II and IV (including range). Scapulohumeral rhythm was higher in the non-dominant limb of Paralympic swimmers but in the dominant limb of junior swimmers. Greatest differences in upward rotation between injured and non-injured swimmers were found in Phase 1: 43.6% (3.3°) Paralympic; 73.1% (8°) junior. Results suggest asymmetry of movement in both limbs, through all phases, and at single points in range, should be investigated for assessing injury and developing preventive strategies and rehabilitation protocols.

Details

Title: Clinical Assessment of Scapula Motion: Scapula Upward Rotation and Relationship with Injury in Swimmers
Authors: Jo-Ann Brown (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Rebecca Mellifont (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Brendan J Burkett (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Sports, Vol.4(1), 8; 10
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.3390/sports4010008
ISSN: 2075-4663
Copyright note: Copyright © 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons by Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449384502621
Output Type: Journal article

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