The Influence of specialized training programme on rugby players scapular stability and shoulder injury risk reduction

Abstract

Introduction. Rugby football continues to grow in popularity internationally and within the United States [2]. Upper limb injuries, incorporating the shoulder to fingers, have been reported to account for between 14% and 28% of all rugby injuries and to be more severe and associated with the longest absence from competition compared with other injuries. To date, there has been little research with a focus on upper limb injury incidence and associated risk factors in rugby union football [3]. Research aim. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of specialized training program on professional rugby players scapular stability and shoulder injury risk reduction. Research methods and organization. 30 men, professional rugby players were included in this study, first group who were made as a study group participants mean (±SD) age was 19.27 (±0.96) years and control group participants mean (±SD) age was 19.20 (±1.01), 1st group height was 186.73 (±3.49) cm, while 2nd group height was 186 (±4.34), 1st group mass was 96,47 (±6,51) kg while 2nd group mass was 95.20 (±8.04) kg. Inclusion criteria: men, rugby playing experience more than 5 years, history of low or moderate shoulder pain. All participants were verbally informed about the research and signed the informed consent form. Ethical approval was obtained from the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences ethics committee. Study participants have received two questionnaires about their shoulder joint functioning (Penn shoulder score, Dr. Hutton shoulder score – in these questionnaires there was a VAS (visual analogue scale of pain) which was measured before and after the research. Also, before and after the research participants were tested by Y dynamic balance test for upper limb and its modification test, closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test and lateral scapular slide test before and after the specialized training program was [...]