Shoulder function and scapular position in boxers. Issue 4 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lenetsky, Seth; Brughelli, Matt; Harris, Nigel K.
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy in sport. Volume 16:Issue 4(2015)
• Page Start: 355
• Page End: 360
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Boxing -- Combat sports -- Scapular dyskinesis -- Shoulder range of motion; Sports physical therapy -- Periodicals; Sports injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- diagnosis -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- therapy -- Periodicals; Physical Therapy -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; 615.82088796
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2015.02.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-853X

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate differences in strength, shoulder range of motion and scapula position in a cohort of boxers in comparison with a control group of non-boxers. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: 18 boxers with 3 or more years of experience (years = 5.5 ± 3.1, sessions per week = 4.3 ± 0.7, age = 27.0 ± 6.8) and 20 control participants (age = 28.3 ± 4.6). Experimental protocol: The participants were tested for isometric internal and external rotation strength measured with a hand held dynamometer, passive internal and external rotation measured via 2D video using a digital camera, and scapular function measured with a scoliometer and visual inspection by a trained researcher. Both arms (dominant and non-dominant) were tested to allow for comparison. Magnitude based inferences were used to find meaningful differences intra and inter group. Results: Boxers had greater scapular dyskinesis (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.73 ×/÷ 3.37) and increased external rotation in the dominant arm (effect size (ES) = 0.70 ± 0.68) when compared to the non-boxer group. Conclusion: Boxers with 3 or more years of experience displayed symptoms that increase their risk of upper limb injury when compared to a control group. Highlights: We compared shoulder and scapular function in a boxing and control group. We used similar testing protocols to that used with overhead throwing athletes. Our findings indicate that boxers display issues seen in overhead throwing athletes. We recommend that those working with boxers should monitor them for potential issues.