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Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(02): 133-137
DOI: 10.1055/a-1806-2303
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

Shoulder Internal Rotator Strength as Risk Factor for Shoulder Pain in Volleyball Players

Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira 
1   Faculdade de Educação Física e Dança, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
,
Valentine Zimermann Vargas
2   Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
,
Rodrigo Luiz Vancini
3   Centro de Educação Física e Desportos, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
,
Lee Hill
4   Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, Division of Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Hamilton, Canada
,
Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis 
5   Exercise Physiology, Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Nikaia, Nikaia, Greece
,
Beat Knechtle 
6   St. Gallen, Gesundheitszentrum, St. Gallen, Switzerland
,
Marília dos Santos Andrade
7   Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the intrinsic factors that could increase risk of shoulder pain in adolescent volleyball players. Twenty-eight young male volleyball players (between 14 and 18 years old) participated in this study. Athletes were submitted to: isokinetic muscle strength assessment of shoulder rotator muscles, ball service speed assessment, anterior and posterior drawer test, apprehension test, groove sign and scapular dyskinesia test. Athletes were followed for 16 weeks to monitor the presence of shoulder pain. All athletes were submitted to the same training protocol. During the 16 weeks, 28.5% of the athletes (n=8) experienced shoulder pain in the dominant limb higher than 3 according to Numerical Rating Scale criteria; 71.5% of the athletes (n=20) did not experience pain, or pain equal or lower than 3. The main result of our study was that the odds of feeling pain higher than 3 was significantly higher among players who presented higher values for internal rotation peak torque (OR=1.113, CI 95%=1.006 to 1.232 and p=0.038). The odds of feeling pain increased by 11% for every N·m of the internal rotator muscles. Pre-season isokinetic rotator strength assessments can help identify adolescent volleyball players at increased risk of a shoulder injury.

Key words

isokinetic - pre-season - shoulder pain - young athletes - muscular fitness


Publication History

Received: 09 June 2021

Accepted: 08 March 2022

Article published online:
11 November 2022

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