Background Tennis requires repetitive overhead movement patterns that can lead to upper extremity injury. The scapula plays a vital role in injury-free playing. Scapular dysfunction has been associated with shoulder injury in the overhead athlete. Objectives The purpose of this study was to describe variables regarding scapular position, muscle strength and fl exibility in young elite tennis players. Methods Thirty-fi ve adolescent Swedish elite tennis players (19 boys, aged 13.6 (±1.4) years, 16 girls, aged 12.6 (±1.3) years), selected on the basis of their national ranking, underwent a clinical screening protocol consisting of: scapular upward rotation at several angles of arm elevation; isometric scapular muscle strength; and anthropometric measurement of pectoralis minor (PM) length. Results The players showed signifi cantly more scapular upward rotation on their dominant side (p<0.001). For both genders, upper trapezius (p=0.003) and serratus anterior (p=0.01) strength was signifi cantly greater on the dominant side, whereas middle and lower trapezius strength showed no side differences. PM was shorter on the dominant side (p<0.001), and in the female players (p=0.006) compared with the boys. Conclusion These results indicate some sportsrelated adaptations of young tennis players on their dominant side at the scapulothoracic level to exposure to their sport. These data may assist the clinician in the prevention and rehabilitation of sport-specifi c injuries in adolescent tennis players.
Age-related changes in shoulder and scapular strength and ROM were apparent in elite adolescent tennis players. Future authors should examine the association of these adaptations with performance data and injury incidence.
Objective. To investigate balance, gait, falls, and fear of falling in patients with the hypermobility type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS-HT).Methods. Twenty-two women with EDS-HT and 22 sex-and age-matched healthy control subjects participated in the study. Each subject performed the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) and the Tandem Stance test (TS) on an AccuGait force platform to assess balance by center of pressure-based postural sway measures. The GAITRite walkway system was used to record spatial-temporal gait variables during 3 walking conditions (single task, cognitive task, and functional task). Data about fall frequency and circumstances were collected by retrospective recall, and fear of falling was assessed by the modified Falls Efficacy Scale. Results. Compared with healthy subjects, EDS-HT subjects showed significantly impaired balance, reflected by increased sway velocity, mediolateral and anteroposterior sway excursion, and sway area during mCTSIB and TS. Gait velocity, step length, and stride length were significantly smaller during all walking conditions, and a significant dual-task-related decrement was found for gait velocity, step and stride length, and cadence in the EDS-HT subjects compared to the control group. Ninety-five percent of the patients fell during the past year, and some fear of falling was measured. Conclusion. To our knowledge, this study is the first to establish that EDS-HT is associated with balance and gait impairments, increased fall frequency, and poorer balance confidence, implying a decrease in the safety of standing in everyday life situations. Whether these deficits can be improved by appropriate exercise programs needs to be addressed in future research.
Muscle activity of the core unit during explosive running appeared to be associated with hamstring injury occurrence in male soccer players. Higher amounts of gluteal and trunk muscle activity during the airborne phases of sprinting were associated with a lower risk of hamstring injuries during follow-up. Hence, the present results provide a basis for improved, evidence-based rehabilitation and prevention, particularly focusing on increasing neuromuscular control of the gluteal and trunk muscles during sport-specific activities (eg, sprint drills, agility drills).
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