MedPath

Comparison of The Effects of Different Stretching Techniques in Overhead Athletes

Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit
Interventions
Other: Static Stretching Group Group
Other: Post Isometric Relaxation Group
Other: Isolytic Stretching Group
Registration Number
NCT04687696
Lead Sponsor
Dokuz Eylul University
Brief Summary

78 overhead athletes with Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD) will be included in this study. Participants will be randomly divided into 3 different groups of 26 people. In each group will be applied posterior shoulder stretching exercises (PSSE) performed with different Muscle Energy Techniques (MET).

Detailed Description

Post Isometric Relaxation Group (PIRG) participants will perform a PSSE with post isometric relaxation (PIR) technique, Isolytic Stretching Group (ISG) participants will perform a a PSSE with isolytic stretching technique and Static Stretching Group Group (SSG) participants will perform a PSSE with static stretching technique. All exercises will be performed in the modified crossbody position, for 5 times a week total of 6 weeks. Subacromial space, posterior capsule and muscle tendon thicknesses will be measured using a 7-12 MHz linear transducer with USG (LOGIQ e Ultrasound, GE Healthcare, USA). Athletes' GIRD results and rotational ROM measurements and Posterior shoulder tightness will be measured and recorded using a bubble inclinometer (Fabrication End Inc, New York, USA). Scapula kinematics (posterior tilt, upward rotation) will be evaluated with a digital inclinometer. Shoulder and scapular muscles will be evaluated with hend held dynamometer. Tightness of Levator scapulae and pectoralis minor will be assessed. The upper extremity functional performance of the athletes will be evaluated with the Functional Throwing Performance Index (FTPI). Evaluations will be performed before training program and repeated after 6 weeks of training, and at the 1st, 3th and 6th months after training program is completed and the effects of different muscle energy techniques (MET) will be compared. Investigators hypothesized 6 weeks of PSSE with different MET would have different effects on Acromio-Humeral Distance, posterior capsule thickness, muscle tendon thickness, rotational ROM measurements, scapula kinematics, muscle strength, posterior shoulder tightness and performance on overhead athletes with GIRD and the effects of MET would be superior to static stretching.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
78
Inclusion Criteria
  • Being overhead athlete
  • Glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion of the affected shoulder should be less than other shoulder and bilateral shoulder internal rotation range of motion difference should be ≥15 º
Exclusion Criteria
  • Shoulder pain required medical attention for the last year.
  • Current shoulder pain
  • Cervical pain during upper extremity movement
  • History of fracture to the shoulder girdle
  • Systemic musculoskeletal disease
  • History of shoulder surgery,
  • Glenohumeral instability (positive apprehension, relocation, or positive sulcus test) or positive findings for a full thickness rotator cuff tear (positive lag sign, positive drop arm test, or marked weakness with shoulder external rotation)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Static Stretching Group GroupStatic Stretching Group GroupThe participants in this group will receive static stretching in modified cross body position for 6 weeks.
Post Isometric Relaxation GroupPost Isometric Relaxation GroupThe participants in this group will perform post isometric relaxation stretching in modified cross body position for 6 weeks.
Isolytic Stretching GroupIsolytic Stretching GroupThe participants in this group will perform isolytic stretching in modified cross body position for 6 weeks..
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Shoulder internal rotation range of motionbaseline, 6 weeks of training, at the 1st, 3th and 6th months

Change of shoulder internal rotation range of motion (with bubble inclinometer)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Posterior capsule thicknessbaseline, 6 weeks of training, at the 1st, 3th and 6th months

Change of posterior capsule thickness ( with Ultrasound)

Isometric strengthbaseline, 6 weeks of training, at the 1st, 3th and 6th months

Change of lower trapezius muscle, serratus anterior and rotator cuff muscles isometric strength (in kg, with hand held dynamometer)

Subacromial spacebaseline, 6 weeks of training, at the 1st, 3th and 6th months

Change of subacromial space ( with Ultrasound)

Posterior shoulder tightnessbaseline, 6 weeks of training, at the 1st, 3th and 6th months

Change of posterior shoulder tightness (with bubble inclinometer)

Shoulder Total rotation range of motionbaseline, 6 weeks of training, at the 1st, 3th and 6th months

Change of shoulder internal rotation + external rotation range of motion (with bubble inclinometer)

Muscle Shortnessbaseline, 6 weeks of training, at the 1st, 3th and 6th months

Levator scapula and pectoralis minor shortness (with caliper and tape measure)

Muscle tendon thicknessbaseline, 6 weeks of training, at the 1st, 3th and 6th months

Change of supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor tendon thicknesses ( with Ultrasound)

Scapula kinematicsbaseline, 6 weeks of training, at the 1st, 3th and 6th months

Posterior tilt and upward rotation of the scapula during arm elevation (with digital inclinometer)

Functional Throwing Performance Indexbaseline, 6 weeks of training, at the 1st, 3th and 6th months

Participants will throw a ball to shot a frame on a wall. Number of correct shots will be recorded.

Eccentric strengthbaseline, 6 weeks of training, at the 1st, 3th and 6th months

Change of shoulder abduction and external rotation eccentric strength (in kg, with hand held dynamometer)

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath