Correlates of shoulder pain in wheelchair basketball players from the Japanese national team: A cross-sectional study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tsunoda, Kenji^{a; b} | Mutsuzaki, Hirotaka^{c; *} | Hotta, Kazushi^b | Tachibana, Kaori^d | Shimizu, Yukiyo^e | Fukaya, Takashi^f | Ikeda, Eiji^g | Wadano, Yasuyoshi^h

Affiliations: [a] Physical Fitness Research Institute, Meiji Yasuda Life Foundation of Health and Welfare, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan | [b] Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Healthcare, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, Japan | [c] Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, Japan | [d] Department of Physical Therapy, School of Healthcare, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, Japan | [e] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan | [f] Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tsukuba International University, Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, Japan | [g] Faculty of Education, Art and Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan | [h] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, Japan

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Hirotaka Mutsuzaki, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-0394, Japan. Tel.: +81 29 888 4000; Fax: +81 29 840 2418; E-mail:mutsuzaki@ipu.ac.jp

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To reveal correlates of shoulder pain in wheelchair basketball players from the Japanese national team. METHODS: Study participants were 19 males (29.7 ± 5.2 years) and 21 females (29.0 ± 8.2 years) players. We assessed shoulder pain using the wheelchair user's shoulder pain index (WUSPI). As potential correlates of shoulder pain, age, ability class, practice time and years of experience in wheelchair basketball were collected. RESULTS: The total WUSPI score for men (16.18 ± 17.39 points) was significantly higher than that for women (8.62 ± 15.70 points). In men, higher age was significantly correlated with greater shoulder pain for total WUSPI score and on two WUSPI items. Lower ability in wheelchair basketball was correlated with men's greater shoulder pain on three WUSPI items. In men, there were also significant correlations between longer years of experience and greater shoulder pain for total WUSPI score and on three WUSPI items. For women, there were significant correlations between longer practice time and less pain for total WUSPI score and on four WUSPI items. CONCLUSIONS: Because top male wheelchair basketball players have a higher risk of shoulder pain than female players, daily care of shoulder and periodic medical checkups are needed, especially for older male players with lower ability and more experience.

Keywords: Shoulder pain, wheelchair user's shoulder pain index, disability, athlete, wheelchair sports

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-160691

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 795-800, 2016