Scapular Rotation in Swimmers with and without Impingement Syndrome: Practice Effects

Abstract

. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a normal swim practice on the scapular kinematics of swimmers with impingement syndrome and healthy swimmers. Methods: Twenty swimmers with no known shoulder pathology and 20 swimmers with shoulder impingement syndrome participated in this study. Shoulder strength measurements were made with a hand-held dynamometer. Static scapular upward rotation was measured with an inclinometer with the arm at rest, and at 45, 90, and 135°of humeral elevation. Measurements were made pre-and postswim training. Results: There were no differences in baseline measurements of kinematics between the two groups. After swimming, both groups experienced muscle fatigue as indicated by a significant reduction in force generation. Although swimming practice resulted in no significant differences in scapular kinematics for the healthy swimmers, there were significant decreases in scapular upward rotation in subjects with shoulder impingement. Conclusions: Abnormal scapular kinematics in swimmers with impingement syndrome may only be observed after an intense swim practice. The examination of swimmers immediately after swimming may provide more information regarding impingement syndrome than a typical clinical exam.

Rigid and Elastic taping changes scapular kinematics and pain in subjects with shoulder impingement syndrome; an experimental study

“…SIS has been associated with a decrease in scapular upward rotation [Endo et al, 2001, Ludewig and Cook, 2000, Su et al, 2004 and posterior tilt [Endo et al, 2001, Lukasiewicz et al, 1999. The two taping techniques did not seem to have an effect on upward rotation.…”

Scapular taping alters kinematics in asymptomatic subjects

“…Overhead athletes and other 44 professionals that require use of the arm in a predominant overhead position are at a 45 high risk of developing associated shoulder pains and injuries. A number of studies 46 have reported high prevalence of shoulder pain and injury in swimmers [Lo et al,47 1990, Rupp et al, 1995, Su et al, 2004, tennis players [Cools et al, 2008], baseball 48 players [Hsu et al, 2009] and other overhead throwing athletes [Laudner et al, 2006, 49 Lo et al, 1990, Wilk et al, 2002. Shoulder impingement accounts for the majority of 50 the reported complaints [Michener et al, 2003].…”

“…Interestingly, the majority of studies investigating the effect of 274 shoulder impingement on scapular kinematics have reported that people suffering 275 from this condition have an increase in scapular internal rotation [Hebert et al,276 2002], decrease in upward rotation [Endo et al, 2001, Lin et al, 2005, Ludewig and 277 Cook, 2000, Su et al, 2004 and a decrease in posterior tilt [Endo et al, 2001, Lin et 278 al., 2005, Ludewig and Cook, 2000, Lukasiewicz et al, 1999. The results of this study suggest that this taping technique reduces the three rotations normally 280 associated with this condition, and hence may have a beneficial effect on patients 281 suffering from shoulder impingement.…”

Influence of a Single Swim Training on the Scapular Position and Isometric Muscle Strength in Young Swimmers

“…We used a Microfet2 © hand-held dynamometer. A stabilizing system was designed for the study, based on the study of Su et al (Su, Johnson, Gracely, & Karduna, 2004). The dynamometer was attached to a metal pole that was connected to a metal base.…”

“…Although there is no simple or complete understanding of swimmer's shoulder pain, impingement of the subacromial structures has been hypothesized as a major cause of shoulder pain (Allegrucci, Whitney, & Irrgang, 1994;Olivier, Quintin, & Rogez, 2008;Pink & Tibone, 2000;Su, Johnson, Gracely, & Karduna, 2004;Wadsworth & Bullock-Saxton, 1997). With approximately 2,500 shoulder revolutions during typical training sessions, swimming definitely can be considered as an exhausting sport for the upper extremities.…”