A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Overhead Activities of Senior Tennis Players With and Without Shoulder Pain
Suegnet Meyer, MSc BPHYST MCSP
MSc Sports Physiotherapy Dissertation
University of Bath, 2018
Abstract
Study Design
Cross-sectional design
Background
Repetitive overhead activity during tennis is a causative factor of shoulder pain. Age and playing years will influence shoulder movement and possibly result in shoulder injuries for throwers and hitting athletes. Literature assessing the shoulder movements of senior overhead athletes with shoulder pain exist, but correlation with serve kinematics is lacking.
Objectives
This study compares the effect of shoulder overhead activities on senior tennis player – with and without shoulder pain. The differences between movement patterns by means of inertial measurement and shoulder clinical assessments were assessed and correlated with the effect of age and playing history.
Methods
Twenty-two advanced level senior tennis players were divided into 2 groups: Older Asymptomatic group (OA), (n=12; males : females = 6 : 6; aged 56.6 ±8.3 years; 24.8 ±16.5 playing experience years), and Older Symptomatic group (OS), (n=10; males : females = 7 : 3; aged 53.7 ±13.6 years; 38.7 ±16.8 playing experience years).
A Clinical assessment (using an inclinometer) of glenohumeral internal rotation (GIR), glenohumeral external rotation, total range of motion (TROM) and scapula upward rotation were recorded.
A dynamometer determined muscle strength and ratios for shoulder Internal Rotators, External Rotators (ER), Middle and Lower Trapezius. Kinematics measures were collected during flat tennis serve by an inertial measurement system.
Results
By comparing between-groups humeral acceleration (Hum_a), OS-Hum_a was significantly increased by 42% (p<0.001). Both OA and OS-groups presented with reduced TROM and GIR. OS-TROM and OS-GIR were significant inverse correlated (p<0.05, p<0.01) with OS-Hum_a. OS-Scapular Angular velocity (Scap_ω) and OS-Hum_ ω were elevated.
Conclusion
Age and Pain may have caused the OS-group to modify their technique due to a reduced OS-TROM and OS-GIR and an increased OS-Hum_a, Hum_ω and Scap_ω, causing stress on the shoulder joint and musculature. It is important to promote shoulder mobility by including sleeper and cross-body posterior shoulder stretches.
Keywords
Tennis, overhead injury, kinematics
Related Articles
Disclaimer
The contents of this article – A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Overhead Activities of Senior Tennis Players With and Without Shoulder Pain, is aimed at medical professionals. It is provided here for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health management advice. The materials herein are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor, physiotherapist or other health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article or website. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.
Copyright
The content of this article and dissertation – A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Overhead Activities of Senior Tennis Players With and Without Shoulder Pain, is copyright © 2018 of Suegnet Meyer and Meyer & Associates. Transmission or reproduction of the contents, beyond that allowed by fair use as defined in the copyright laws requires the written permission of the copyright owners.