Functional characteristics of upper extremities in male handball players associated with the increased risk of sports-related injuries of the shoulders

Abstract

Introduction. Handball is a sport which places large demands on players’ shoulders due to a high volume of throwing. In addition, the large numbers of throws and passes, as well as hard body tackles, in many cases directly to the shoulder, make the shoulder region vulnerable for both acute and overuse injuries (1,2,3). Overuse problems can be perceived as pain, shoulder instability, and scapular dysfunction, which in many cases will influence an athlete’s performance (4). Research aim. To assess the functional characteristics of upper extremities in male handball players associated with the increased risk of sports-related musculoskeletal injuries of the shoulders. Research methods and organization. 20 male elite team-handball players participated in the research. They were professional handball players and one of the best male team-handball in Lithuania. Average of age - 24 years, weight – 84 kg, height – 189 cm. Players reported that they had no complaints and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders. Clinical orthopaedic diagnostic tests for shoulder were used in order to screen for hidden pathologies in upper extremities: Apley test was used for limitations in motions of the upper extremity, Neer test - for subacromial impingement, Empty can - for supraspinatus impingement or integrity of the supraspinatus muscle and tendon, Hawkins- Kennedy - for shoulder subacromial impingement. Shoulder external/internal rotation was done to provocate pain in rotator cuff tendons. Dynamic stability of the shoulder girdle was measured by Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test to identify movement limitations and asymmetries in athlete‘s shoulder function. Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability test was used to identify the stability of the shoulder girdle by doing as more touches as possible in 15 seconds period hand by hand from side-toside in push-up possition (5). These tests are specific and sensitive to identif[...].