Affiliations: [a] CESPU, Polytechnic Health Institute of the North,
Physiotherapy Department, Gandra PRD, Portugal | [b] University of Porto, Faculty of Sport, Research Centre
in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Porto, Portugal
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Fernando Ribeiro, Research Centre in
Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, Rua Dr. Plácido
Costa, 91, 4200.450 Porto, Portugal. Tel.: +351 225 074 773; Fax: +351 225 500
689; E-mail: fernando.silva.ribeiro@gmail.com
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the association between shoulder
proprioception and shoulder rotators strength in water polo players. Twenty
male water polo players aged 20.2 ± 2.3y participated in
the study. Shoulder proprioception was evaluated by assessing joint position
sense (JPS) at 30° of external rotation and at
30° of internal rotation. Shoulder external and
internal rotators concentric and eccentric muscle strength was evaluated
isokinetically at 120°/s. JPS acuity at
30° of external rotation [4.7
(3.5°)] was similar to that observed at
30° of internal rotation [4.0
(5.3°)]. The external/internal rotators strength ratio
were 0.67 (0.23) and 0.66 (0.18), respectively for concentric and eccentric
efforts while the dynamic control ratio was 0.69 [0.16]. Negative and
significant correlations were found between relative error at
30° of external rotation and concentric and eccentric
external rotators PT: r = −0.445 and r =
−0.483, respectively, and the eccentric strength ratio of the
external to internal rotators (r =−0.505). In addition the
dynamic control ratio was lower than the recommended values for overhead
athletes, which may expose/predispose the players to shoulder injury.
Keywords: External rotators, functional ratio, internal rotators, joint position sense
