Evaluation of shoulder complex function and body posture in racquet sports players

Abstract

Introduction. Tennis and badminton are popular racquet sports games worldwide. These sports games requires asymmetric movements. Racquet sports players subject their dominant upper extremity to high loads and forces during serving and smashing. An asymmetric playing techniques may lead to an asymmetric distribution of muscle mass, changes in range of motion and alterations in body posture. All these changes increase risk of pain and injuries so it is important to evaluate and define risk factors for injury. Research aim. To evaluate shoulder complex function and body posture in racquet sports players. Research methods and organization. Twenty nine students (13 male, 16 female; mean age 22±2 years) who play tennis and badminton volunteered to participate in this study. 13 were tennis players (5 males and 8 females), and 16 were badminton players (7 males, 9 females). Each player completed an enrollment questionnaire concerning age, hand dominance, time and frequency of training.Active range of motion of the shoulder joint was measured using goniometer, bilateral isometric shoulder muscle strength was assessed using a handheld dynamometer „Lafayette“, scapular asymmetry was assessed using „Lateral scapular slide test“ (the distance between the inferior angle of the scapula and the closest spinous process in the same horizontal plane was measured bilaterally with a tape measure in three positions.). For evaluation of body posture we used Contemplas Templo 2D posture analysis softwere (during this procedure participants stand in the area of analysis while several photos are taken of them standing in different positions. After each photo, specific anatomical body points are clicked using special program. We used 2D posture analysis protocol for posture evaluation in frontal plane). Wilcoxon’s rank-sum test was used for statistical analysis on paired (dominant side vs nondominant side). The statistical ana[...].