Immediate effect of combining glenohumeral and scapulothoracic mobilization with stretching on improving shoulder internal rotation in overhead throwing athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit: A randomized clinical trial study
Affiliations: [a] Physical Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| [b] School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Fahimeh Kamali, Physical Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Abiverdi 1, Chamran Blvd, Shiraz, P.O. Box 71947-33669, Iran. Tel.: +987136261081; Fax: +987136272495; E-mail: fahimehkamali@hotmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Posterior shoulder tightness as demonstrated by glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) is a common contributor to many shoulder pathologies in overhead throwing athletes. PURPOSE:This study aimed to assess immediate effect of combining glenohumeral and scapulothoracic mobilization with stretching on improving internal rotation range of motion (ROM) in overhead athletes with GIRD METHODS:This study was a single-blind randomized controlled trial with parallel groups. The participants were 30 asymptomatic male volleyball players who had a loss of shoulder internal rotation ROM of 15 degrees or more on their dominant compared to their nondominant side. They were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: stretching only (n = 15) or stretching plus joint mobilization (n = 15). Participants in the stretching group performed cross-body stretches, and those in stretching plus mobilization group were treated with both cross-body stretching and mobilization techniques for the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joints. Both groups received the intervention every other day for 1 week. Shoulder internal and external ROM were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS:Before the intervention, dominant-side deficits in internal rotation ROM compared to the nondominant side were 20.11±5.27 degrees in the stretching group and 21.87±8.06 degrees in the stretching plus mobilization group. After the intervention, internal rotation ROM deficit between the dominant and nondominant side decreased to 11.28±5.82 in the stretching group (P < 0.001) and 10.85±9.19 in the stretching plus mobilization group (P < 0.001). However, the between-group difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.389). External rotation ROM remained unchanged in both groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:Both interventions (stretching and stretching plus mobilization) can have the same beneficial effect in decreasing GIRD in asymptomatic overhead athletes.
