Three-Dimensional Biomechanics of the Trunk and Upper Extremity During Overhead Throwing in Wheelchair Lacrosse Athletes With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

ObjectiveQuantify differences in overhead throwing kinematics between wheelchair lacrosse athletes with spinal cord injury and able-bodied lacrosse athletes.DesignThis is a cross-sectional, prospective study. Motion analysis captured overhead throwing motions of five wheelchair lacrosse athletes with spinal cord injury and six able-bodied lacrosse athletes seated in a wheelchair and standing. Three-dimensional thorax and dominant arm sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, glenohumeral, elbow, and wrist joint angles, ranges of motion, as well as angular velocities were computed using an inverse kinematics model. Nonparametric tests assessed group differences (P < 0.05).ResultsParticipants with spinal cord injury exhibited less peak thorax axial rotation, ranges of motion, and angular velocity, as well as greater wrist flexion than able-bodied participants seated. Participants with spinal cord injury exhibited less peak thorax axial rotation and lateral bending, ranges of motion, and three-dimensional angular velocities; less peak two-dimensional sternoclavicular joint motion, ranges of motion, and peak angular velocities; less peak acromioclavicular joint protraction angular velocity; less glenohumeral joint adduction-abduction and internal-external rotation motion, ranges of motion, and angular velocities; and greater wrist flexion than able-bodied participants standing.ConclusionsKinematic differences were observed between groups, with athletes with spinal cord injury exhibiting less thorax and upper extremity joint motion and slower joint angular velocities than able-bodied athletes. This knowledge may provide insights for movement patterns and potential injury risk in wheelchair lacrosse.

Electromyographic Analysis of Elite Para Table Tennis Players with Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury during Forehand Loop and Backhand

“…The decrease in the axial rotation of the trunk in the spinal cord injury group reduces trunk control and limits -rotation in overhead movements, and changes the kinematics of the upper limb in this group. Furthermore, the spinal cord injury group showed a signi cant decrease in the range of motion of abduction and adduction compared to the sitting and standing group [43]. According to the neuromuscular control of the movements, the timing of the onset of muscle contraction is crucial for proper control of trunk and upper limbs movements.…”