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.

Tennis player with motion sensors attached
Tennis player with motion sensors attached
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.

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