Cross-Sectional study with control group, Level II.

Background GIRD is a condition resulting in the loss of internal rotation of the glenohumeral joint as compared to the contralateral side. Mechanism of GIRD is caused by repetitive throwing such as a handball throw. Difference between total shoulders range of motion (ROM) more than 25°is considered as GIRD positive sign. Objective To compare glenohumeral rotation motion between dominant and non-dominant shoulder in handball players. Design Cross sectional study. Setting Elite handball division players. Participants The pilot studies included 48 professional handball players of average age 24.0±4.5 years, height 187.1±5.9 cm, weight 91.0±11.6 kg.Interventions All handball players were tested for internal (IR) and external (ER) glenohumeral rotation range of motion. Mean values, minimum, maximum and standard deviation were calculated. Differences between the dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) shoulder were determined. T-Test for two independent samples was used to analyze differences between D and ND shoulder. Statistical significance was set at P<.05. Main OutcomesROM. Results We obtained:for ER_D 60.63°±13.23°and for ED_ND 58.65°±13.98°, respectively; for IR_D: 92.60°±6.92°and for IR_ND 88.96°±6.99°. Total ROM values were 153.23°±17.79°f or D and 147.60°±18.76°for ND shoulder. Differences between D and ND shoulders was statistically significant only for IR: 3.65°± 4.34°; P=.0118. For ER: 1.98°±4.92°and Total ROM: 5.63°± 7.76°there was no significant differences (P>.05). Conclusions However there are some cases with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit there is more evidence that such a deficit does not exists in handball players. To verify this results further study with grater sample size should be conducted in comparison to other professional overhead athletes.

Background Proprioception is a specialized variation of the sensory modality of touch that includes the sensation of joint motion and joint position. It is an essential part of shoulder stability and neuromuscular control. It is controversial whether throwing sports and sports training effects shoulder proprioception. Objective To analyse the shoulder proprioceptive abilities of professional handball players. Design Prospective study with control group and descriptive analysis. Setting Elite division handball players. Participants 70 professional handball players from top national league and 25 healthy volunteers as control. Interventions Shoulder proprioception was evaluated by measuring error of active reproduction of joint position (EARJP). Own construction electronic goniometer (Propriometer) with accuracy of 0,1o was used for measurements. Both dominant and non-dominant shoulders were evaluated. EARJP was measured in 4 directions and 3 positions for each direction: flexion and abduction (60o, 90o, 120o), external and internal rotation (30o, 45o, 60o). Three repetitions for each position were performed to obtain an average EARJP for every subject and position. Results Based on statistical analysis there was significantly better proprioceptive control (lower EARJP) in throwing versus non throwing and throwing versus control group shoulder. No difference in proprioception when comparing dominant and non-dominant shoulders in control group. Higher reference angles correlated with better proprioception. Increased external rotation correlated with better shoulder control in mid range of external rotation. Conclusions Throwing sport affects neuromuscular shoulder control. Handball players show significantly better proprioceptive abilities when compared to control normal population. Throwing shoulder has better neuromuscular control then the opposite one.

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