Physical Performance and 3D Shoulder Kinematics of Asymptomatic Unilateral/Bilateral Overhead Athletes and Non-athletes
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This study compares the performance and 3-dimensional shoulder kinematics between sides in unilateral overhead-throwers (volleyball attackers), bilateral overhead athletes (swimmers) and non-athletes during two physical performance measures of the upper extremity, one in an open kinetic chain position (unilateral seated shot put test) and the other in a closed kinetic chain position (upper quarter Y balance test)
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
Detailed Description
3-dimensional shoulder kinematics (e.g., scapular angular position/displacement) at key events of each test will be described and compared across sides and groups. For the unilateral seated shot put test, the events are based on humeral motion: a) initiation of humeral motion, b) maximal humeral flexion, c) end of humeral motion. For the upper quarter Y balance test the events are the a) initiation of free hand motion on "GO", b) maximal reach on the medial direction, c) maximal reach on superolateral direction, and d) maximal reach on the inferolateral direction (kinematics measured on the stance upper extremity). The best of 3 maximal-effort trials on each side will be used for analysis. Warm-up exercises and two submaximal practice trials will be performed for preparation for maximal efforts and familiarization with the tests. A rest period of at least one minute between trials will be given to guarantee good physiological conditions to maximally perform. Further resting time will be allowed, if necessary, upon request of the participant.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Unilateral overhead throwing athletes Volleyball attackers involved in competitive events ≥ 2 years, ≥18 years of age |
Behavioral: Chronic exposure to unilateral overhead sports activity
Overhead sports athletes that have been chronically exposed (≥ 2 years) predominantly to specific unilateral overhead movement patterns of the dominant extremity ("throwing arm"), such as throwing or hitting a ball ("asymmetrical overhead sports).
|
| Bilateral overhead athletes Swimmers involved in competitive events ≥ 2 years, ≥18 years of age |
Behavioral: Chronic exposure to bilateral overhead sports activity
Overhead sports athletes that have been chronically exposed (≥ 2 years) predominantly to bilateral overhead movement patterns of the upper extremities, such as swimmers ("symmetrical overhead sports").
|
| Non-athletes Persons not regularly involved in sports activities or occupational overhead tasks (e.g. construction workers), ≥18 years of age |
Behavioral: Not exposed
People not engaged in regular sports competition/exercise training.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Side-to-side differences in the unilateral seated shot put test (normalized distance thrown, in centimeters) [Through study completion, an average of 1 year]
The unilateral seated shot put test consists of pushing (not throwing) at shoulder height a ~3kg medicine ball as far and forward as possible while keeping the axial skeleton in contact with a wall, knees bent at a right angle, feet flat on the floor, and the non-testing arm resting on the lap.
- Side-to-side differences in the upper quarter Y balance test (normalized maximal distance reached in each direction, in centimeters) [Through study completion, an average of 1 year]
The upper quarter Y balance test is performed through the assistance of a testing device (Y-Balance Test Kit), with the subject stabilizing his/her body weight with the upper extremity being tested while performing maximal reaching efforts with the free hand in three directions: medial, superolateral, and inferolateral.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Side-to-side differences in 3-dimensional scapular angular displacement (in degrees) [Through study completion, an average of 1 year]
The angular displacement of the scapula in the 3 planes of orientation: lateral/medial (upward/downward) rotation, protraction/retraction (internal/external rotation), anterior/posterior tilting.
- Side-to-side differences in 3-dimensional humerus angular displacement (in degrees) [Through study completion, an average of 1 year]
The angular displacement of the humerus in the 3 planes of orientation: plane of elevation, elevation/depression, axial rotation.
- Side-to-side differences in 3-dimensional thoracic angular displacement (in degrees) [Through study completion, an average of 1 year]
The angular displacement of the thorax in the 3 planes of orientation: flexion/extension, lateral rotation (inclination), axial rotation.
- Side-to-side differences in the upper quarter Y balance test (total excursion, in centimeters) [Through study completion, an average of 1 year]
total excursion = sum of the 3 normalized reach distances, in centimeters
- Side-to-side differences in the upper quarter Y balance test (overall performance score, in centimeters) [Through study completion, an average of 1 year]
overall performance or composite score = average score of the 3 normalized reach distances, in centimeters.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Perform at least 150 degrees of arm elevation
Exclusion Criteria:
-
history of shoulder dislocation
-
surgery in the upper extremity ≥ 6 months
-
injury in the past month
-
evident abnormalities in posture and movement of the upper body quadrant
-
pain at the time of testing
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa | Oeiras | Cruz-Quebrada | Portugal | 1499-002 |
| 2 | Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria | Leiria | Portugal | 2411-901 | |
| 3 | Faculdade de Desporto, Universidade do Porto | Porto | Portugal | 4200-450 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Universidade do Porto
- University of Lisbon
- Instituto Politécnico de Leiria
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- FADEUP_PhDPT_NunoMorais_std#1