The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of a 10 week shoulder home based exercise program (SHEP) on shoulder pain (SP) and range of motion (ROM) in a group of elite wheelchair basketball (WB) players. A convenience sample of elite WB players (n = 36, 15 males and 21 females), mean age of 26 years (SD 7.6, range 15–45)) were assigned to either an exercise or a control group, according to the use of the wheelchair during daily activities. The shoulder pain index for wheelchair basketball players (SPI-WB), functional tests and ROM were measured at baseline and after a 10 week intervention. In the analysis of the SPI-WB scores, for the exercise and control groups separately, there were no significant reductions of SPI-WB scores after intervention. Related to the analysis between groups after 10 weeks of intervention, there were no significant differences in changes between the exercise and control groups (Z = 0.840, p > 0.05, r = 0.743). In this regard, there was a significant change after the intervention for shoulder extension ROM (Z = 2.81, p ≤ 0.05, r = 0.249). Shoulder Pain did not increase along the 10 weeks of the SHEP development in WB players who reported SP before the intervention program. However, in those players who started the intervention without SP, as no increase in SP was observed and players were free of injury. An exercise program could be a tool to maintain shoulder health and prevent injuries in elite WB players.

The aim of the study was to assess the structure and content validity of a home-based exercise program, as an instrument to prevent of shoulder pain (SP) in wheelchair basketball players. The proposed program was designed considering previous studies but to be applied in this specific population and; it was composed by exercises based on active mobility (4 exercises), strengthening (5 exercises) and stretching (5 exercises) of the shoulder joint. An ad hoc questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 9 experts (1 rehabilitation physician,1 sport physician, 4 physiotherapists and 3 coaches) that fulfilled the defined inclusion criteria. The results showed that experts considered the shoulder home-based exercise program (SHEP) as adequate tool for SP prevention in WB; however, some experts suggested some changes to improve it. According to the qualitative analysis performed, findings revealed two main underlying factors such as “design” (content and structure) and “application” that could influence in the adequate use of the home-based exercise program. This study provided evidence that the presentedhome-based exercise program is a validate tool and could be a powerful tool to prevent shoulder pain in WB player’s population.  

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate shoulder pain in a sample of elite wheelchair basketball players during their preparation for a major competition. Method: Seventeen male wheelchair basketball players, between 16 and 43 years of age, were studied during their athletic preparation for a wheelchair basketball championship. The shoulder pain questionnaire, impingement tests and shoulder range of motion were evaluated during a training camp. Spearman´s rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between shoulder pain and range of motion indicating the value of the effect size. Results: Shoulder pain was evident in 52.9% of the sample and was significant and negatively correlated with range of motion, while 35.3% related to impingement tests player’s reported pain. The correlation was moderate to high. Conclusions: In conclusion, the use of shoulder pain questionnaire, goniometric measurements and clinical test could be a useful approach for monitoring the shoulder injuries of wheelchair basketball players to explore the possible consequences of performing repetitive movements. Resumen Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el dolor de hombro en jugadores de baloncesto en silla de ruedas de élite durante su preparación para una competencia de alto nivel. Método: Diecisiete jugadores masculinos de baloncesto en silla de ruedas, entre 16 y 43 años, fueron evaluados con el cuestionario para el dolor de hombro en jugadores de baloncesto en silla de ruedas, las pruebas clínicas y el rango de movimiento del hombro durante la preparación para un campeonato. El coeficiente de correlación de Spearman se utilizó para analizar la correlación entre el dolor de hombro y el rango de movimiento, indicando el valor del tamaño del efecto. Resultados: El dolor de hombro fue evidente en el 52.9% de la muestra, siendo significativo. En tanto que, hubo una correlación negativa entre el dolor de hombro y el rango de movimiento, mientras que el 35.3% reportó dolor de acuerdo con las pruebas clínicas. La correlación fue de moderada a alta. Conclusiones: La utilización del cuestionario, las mediciones goniométricas y las pruebas clínicas podrían ser herramientas adecuadas para monitorear la condición del hombro en los jugadores de baloncesto en silla de ruedas, y así explorar las posibles consecuencias de los movimientos repetitivos. Resumo Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a dor no ombro em uma amostra de jogadores de elite de basquete em cadeira de rodas durante sua preparação para uma competição de alto nível. Método: Dezessete jogadores de basquete em cadeira de rodas do sexo masculino, entre 16 e 43 anos de idade, foram avaliados com o questionário de dor no ombro, testes clínicos de impacto e amplitude articular durante o treinamento para um campeonato. O coeficiente de correlação de Spearman foi utilizado para analisar a relação entre dor no ombro e amplitude de movimento que indica o valor do tamanho do efeito. Resultados: A dor no ombro foi evidente em 52,9% da amostra e foi significativa e negativamente correlacionada com a amplitude de movimento, enquanto 35,3% teve uma correlação de moderada a alta em relação à dor durante os testes de impacto. Conclusões: Em conclusão, o uso de questionário de dor no ombro, medições goniométricas e teste clínico poderia ser uma abordagem útil para monitorar as lesões no ombro de jogadores de basquete em cadeira de rodas para explorar as possíveis consequências da realização de movimentos repetitivos.

Background and objectives: Acquired brain injury (ABI) is the first cause of disability and physical activity (PA) is a key element in functional recovery and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the subacute and chronic phases. However, it is necessary to develop PA programs that respond to the heterogeneity and needs of this population. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a PA program on the HRQoL in this population. Materials and Methods: With regard to recruitment, after baseline evaluations, participants were assigned to either the intervention group (IG, n = 38) or the control group (CG, n = 35). Functional capacity, mood, quality of life and depression were measured pre- and post-intervention. The IG underwent the “Physical Activity and Sport for Acquired Brain Injury” (PASABI) program, which was designed to improve HRQoL (1-h sessions, two to four sessions/week for 18 weeks). The CG underwent a standard rehabilitation program without PA. Results: Results for the IG indicated significant differences and large effect sizes for the physical and mental dimensions of quality of life, as well as mood and functional capacity, indicating an increase in HRQoL. No significant differences were found for the CG across any variables. Conclusions: The PASABI program was feasible and beneficial for improving physiological and functionality variables in the IG. The wide range of the activities of the PASABI program allow its application to a large number of people with ABI, promoting health through PA, especially in the chronic phase.

Las lesiones del hombro suponen un problema en el baloncesto en silla de ruedas (BSR). El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la eficacia de un programa de ejercicio para el dolor del hombro en jugadoras de máximo nivel de BSR para tras 12 semanas de intervención a lo largo del proceso preparatorio de una competición internacional. Participaron 13 jugadoras de BSR de la Pre-Selección Española Femenina (edad 26.6 ±6.1 años), respondiendo a un cuestionario de DH antes y después del programa de ejercicio, evaluando también el rango de movimiento (RM) y aplicando pruebas funcionales. El DH se redujo significativamente después de la intervención (Z=-2.93, p?0.05, d=0.67), pero sin cambios significativos ni en las pruebas funcionales (p?0.05) ni en el RM (p?0.05). El programa de ejercicio resultó efectivo para la reducción del DH durante el proceso de preparación, lo que influyó de manera positiva en rendimiento deportivo de las jugadoras.