Focusing the Shoulder or Considering the Whole-Body in Volleyball Physiotherapy

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Shoulder Pain; Volleyball Players

• Registration Number: NCT07072091
• Lead Sponsor: University of Trieste

Brief Summary

Shoulder pain can be common in overhead sports, and in particular, in volleyball. Different physiotherapy protocols can be adopted depending on the suspected pathophysiological mechanisms. Despite most of the protocols rely only on the shoulder district, some research suggests that treating the whole-body might produce better results as it could influence kinematic chains and correct muscle imbalances. The aim of this study will be to compare the effects of two physiotherapy protocols (shoulder focus or whole body) compared to only education without physiotherapy.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2025-05-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-07-08
• Study First Posted: 2025-07-18
• Study Start: 2025-07-20
• Status Verified: 2025-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-08-11
• Last Update Posted: 2025-08-14
• Primary Completion: 2025-09
• Study Completion: 2025-09-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• practicing volleyball for at least 5 years with a training volume of minimum 5 h/wk

Exclusion Criteria

• history of previous surgical intervention or fractures on the shoulder or spine

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Isometric strength with handheld dynamometer (Newtons)	At enrollment and at the end of treatment at 5 weeks	Isometric strength during shoulder flexion, extension, external and internal rotation, bilaterally

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Lateral symmetry (%)	At enrollement and at the end of treatment after 5 weeks	Lateral symmetry will be assessed as percentage between the two upper limbs for the investigated muscles (pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, upper trapezius, middle trepezius, lower trapezius, anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid) using the tensiomyography system
Time of contraction (ms)	At enrollement and at the end of treatment after 5 weeks	Time of contraction (ms), i.e. the time requiring the muscle to reach the peak of muscle displacement, will be assessed as percentage between the two upper limbs for the investigated muscles (pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, upper trapezius, middle trepezius, lower trapezius, anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid) using the tensiomyography system
Muscle belly displacement (mm)	At enrollement and at the end of treatment after 5 weeks	Muscle belly displacement (mm), i.e. the amplitude of muscle displacement, will be assessed as percentage between the two upper limbs for the investigated muscles (pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, upper trapezius, middle trepezius, lower trapezius, anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid) using the tensiomyography system

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Trieste - Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology Lab; 🇮🇹 Trieste, Italy