Injury and training history are associated with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit in youth tennis athletes

Abstract

A glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) of the shoulder, is associated with an increased risk of shoulder injuries in tennis athletes. The aim of the present study was to reveal the impact of 1) age, sex, specific training data (i.e. training volume, years of tennis practice, years of competitive play) and 2) upper extremity injuries on GIRD in youth competitive tennis athletes. A cross-sectional retrospective study design was adopted. Youth tennis players (n = 27, 12.6 ± 1.80 yrs., 18 male) belonging to an elite tennis squad were included. After documenting the independent variables (anthropometric data, tennis specific data and history of injury), the players were tested for internal (IR) and external (ER) shoulder rotation range of motion (RoM, [°]). From these raw values, the GIRD parameters ER/IR ratio and side differences and TRoM side differences were calculated. Pearson's correlation analyses were performed to find potential associations of the independent variables with the GIRD outcomes. A significant positive linear correlation between the years of tennis training and IR side asymmetry occurred (p < .05). A significant negative linear relation between the years of tennis training and the ratio of ER to IR range of motion (RoM) in the dominant side (p < .05) was found. The analysis of covariance showed a significant influence of the history of injuries on IR RoM (p < .05). Injury and training history but not age or training volume may impact on glenohumeral internal rotation deficit in youth tennis athletes. We showed that GIRD in the dominant side in youth tennis players is progressive with increasing years of tennis practice and independent of years of practice associated with the history of injuries. Early detection of decreased glenohumeral RoM (specifically IR), as well as injury prevention training programs, may be useful to reduce GIRD and its negative consequences.

Untitled

“…Частими є больові синдроми поперекового та грудного відділів хребта. Переважно гострі травми виникають у нижніх кінцівках, а ушкодження, які розвиваються з часом, характерні для верхніх кінцівок (Kalo, 2020). Для тенісистів високого рівня найбільш характерними є травми від перенавантаження, такі як «лікоть тенісиста» (латеральний епікондиліт ліктьового суглобу) та ушкодження зап'ястка.…”

Biomechanics Analysis of Arm Flexion Isometric Force, Upper Extremity Movement, and Ball Toss Position Towards Ball Speed in Tennis Flat Serve

“…This can be due to improper techniques and limited specific muscle training used at the time of service [15]. The injuries were also caused by historical training methods [16]. One of the most common injuries in tennis athletes is upper body 26-31%, body core 16-20%, lower body 39-51% [2].…”

Correlation of Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit with Shoulder Pain in Elite Table Tennis Players

“…2 Similar to overhead players, repetitive cocking that occurs with the overhead throwing motion was the main cause of GIRD in throwing players. 3,6 For tennis players, numerous serves can cause recurrent microtrauma and may lead to physiological adaptations of the joint and of the joint's surrounding soft tissue, 5 which often results in GIRD in tennis players. 7 Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit was associated with several shoulder injuries, including shoulder impingement syndrome 8 and internal impingement.…”