Bilateral Comparison of Anterior Shoulder Position in Elite Tennis Players

# Background In elite tennis players, musculoskeletal adaptations in the dominant upper extremity have been reported for range of motion, strength, and scapular biomechanics. In addition to scapular dysfunction, tightness and inflexibility of the pectoral musculature have been identified as risk fa...

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Main Authors: Todd Ellenbecker, E. Paul Roetert, Kristyn Petracek, Mark Kovacs, Natalia Barajas, David Bailie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: North American Sports Medicine Institute 2022-08-01
Series:International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.36629
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author Todd Ellenbecker
E. Paul Roetert
Kristyn Petracek
Mark Kovacs
Natalia Barajas
David Bailie
author_facet Todd Ellenbecker
E. Paul Roetert
Kristyn Petracek
Mark Kovacs
Natalia Barajas
David Bailie
author_sort Todd Ellenbecker
collection DOAJ
description # Background In elite tennis players, musculoskeletal adaptations in the dominant upper extremity have been reported for range of motion, strength, and scapular biomechanics. In addition to scapular dysfunction, tightness and inflexibility of the pectoral musculature have been identified as risk factors for the development of overuse shoulder injury in overhead athletes. # Hypothesis Differences in anterior shoulder position will be identified between the dominant and non-dominant extremity in elite tennis players. The purpose of this study was to examine bilateral differences in anterior shoulder posture measured using a double square in elite tennis players without shoulder injury. # Study Design Descriptive Laboratory Study # Methods Three hundred and six uninjured elite tennis players were measured in the supine position using a double square method to measure anterior shoulder position. The distance from the surface of the table to the anterior most position of the shoulder (in millimeters) was measured bilaterally and compared. A dependent t-test was used to test for significant differences in anterior shoulder position between the dominant and non-dominant extremity. # Results One hundred thirty-three males and 173 females were included in this study with a mean age of 16.58 years. The mean difference between extremities indicates increased anterior shoulder positioning on the dominant shoulder of 7.65 mm in females, and 8.72 in males. Significantly greater (p\<.001) anterior shoulder position measures were documented on the dominant shoulder as compared to the non-dominant shoulder. # Conclusions The results of this study showed significantly (p\<.001) greater anterior shoulder position on the dominant extremity of elite male and female tennis players. The differences of 7-8mm between extremities has clinical application for interpreting anterior shoulder position test results in this population. # Level of Evidence 3
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spelling doaj-art-ae3b03ac63634a5cbceb30aa3477fbcc2025-02-11T20:28:04ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962022-08-01175Bilateral Comparison of Anterior Shoulder Position in Elite Tennis PlayersTodd EllenbeckerE. Paul RoetertKristyn PetracekMark KovacsNatalia BarajasDavid Bailie# Background In elite tennis players, musculoskeletal adaptations in the dominant upper extremity have been reported for range of motion, strength, and scapular biomechanics. In addition to scapular dysfunction, tightness and inflexibility of the pectoral musculature have been identified as risk factors for the development of overuse shoulder injury in overhead athletes. # Hypothesis Differences in anterior shoulder position will be identified between the dominant and non-dominant extremity in elite tennis players. The purpose of this study was to examine bilateral differences in anterior shoulder posture measured using a double square in elite tennis players without shoulder injury. # Study Design Descriptive Laboratory Study # Methods Three hundred and six uninjured elite tennis players were measured in the supine position using a double square method to measure anterior shoulder position. The distance from the surface of the table to the anterior most position of the shoulder (in millimeters) was measured bilaterally and compared. A dependent t-test was used to test for significant differences in anterior shoulder position between the dominant and non-dominant extremity. # Results One hundred thirty-three males and 173 females were included in this study with a mean age of 16.58 years. The mean difference between extremities indicates increased anterior shoulder positioning on the dominant shoulder of 7.65 mm in females, and 8.72 in males. Significantly greater (p\<.001) anterior shoulder position measures were documented on the dominant shoulder as compared to the non-dominant shoulder. # Conclusions The results of this study showed significantly (p\<.001) greater anterior shoulder position on the dominant extremity of elite male and female tennis players. The differences of 7-8mm between extremities has clinical application for interpreting anterior shoulder position test results in this population. # Level of Evidence 3https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.36629
spellingShingle Todd Ellenbecker
E. Paul Roetert
Kristyn Petracek
Mark Kovacs
Natalia Barajas
David Bailie
Bilateral Comparison of Anterior Shoulder Position in Elite Tennis Players
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
title Bilateral Comparison of Anterior Shoulder Position in Elite Tennis Players
title_full Bilateral Comparison of Anterior Shoulder Position in Elite Tennis Players
title_fullStr Bilateral Comparison of Anterior Shoulder Position in Elite Tennis Players
title_full_unstemmed Bilateral Comparison of Anterior Shoulder Position in Elite Tennis Players
title_short Bilateral Comparison of Anterior Shoulder Position in Elite Tennis Players
title_sort bilateral comparison of anterior shoulder position in elite tennis players
url https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.36629
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