Isokinetic force-power profile of the shoulder joint in males participating in CrossFit training and competing at different levels

Abstract

Background As participants who engage in CrossFit training and competition perform a large volume of high intensity overhead activities, injuries to the shoulder are one of the most common in this sport. Previous research in other sports has indicated that the isokinetic force power profile of the shoulder joint (IPSJ) rotator muscles may assist in the prediction of shoulder injury. Aim Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the IPSJ in males engaged in CrossFit training at different competitive levels. Methods In a cross-sectional study design, participants (age, 24.1 ± 2.7 years) classified as ‘beginner’ (n = 6), ‘intermediate’ (n = 7) or ‘advanced’ (n = 9) provided informed consent to participate in this study. The IPSJ assessment involved rotational and diagonal movements, including internal and external shoulder rotator muscles, at both 180°.s−1 and 300°.s−1. The variables analysed were peak torque/body mass (%), mean power (W) and the external/internal peak torque/body mass ratio (%). A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare the IPSJ of the three groups, with Dunn’s test used for post-hoc analysis. The alpha level was set at p < 0.05. Results The IPSJ showed greater torque and power values in those who competed at the advanced level as compared to those at a lower competitive level (i.e. intermediate, beginner). This was observed mainly for the internal rotation and internal diagonal movements at both 180°.s−1 and 300°.s−1. However, such differences between competitive levels were, in general, absent for the external rotation and external diagonal movements. Moreover, the participants from the advanced competitive level exhibited an imbalance of peak torque between the muscles responsible for the external–internal rotational and external-internal diagonal movements of the shoulder (i.e. peak torque external/internal ratio <66%), particularly in the dominant shoulder. Conclusion These findings suggest greater development of the shoulder internal rotators and a higher probability of shoulder injury in CrossFit athletes at the advanced competitive level. Based on these results, participants engaged in CrossFit training and competition may wish to increase the volume of training for the shoulder external rotator muscles to complement the large increases in shoulder internal rotator strength that occur as a part of their regular training regimes.

Is Resistance Training a Protective Factor for Musculoskeletal Injuries in Crossfit Practitioners?

“…16 Within this scenario, injuries such as inguinomalacia, 17 muscular injuries, 11,13 tendinopathies, 11,13 among others, appear with worrying rates among the practitioners of the sport. That is why the hypothesis of this study was that RT, by providing a more effective musculoskeletal base to support the overload of the sport and by ensuring conditions to balance agonist and antagonist musculatures, 18 is related to a lower prevalence of injuries.…”

Treinamento Resistido É Um Fator De Proteção Para Lesões Musculoesqueléticas No Crossfit?

“…entre os praticantes do esporte. Por isso, a hipótese deste estudo foi que o TR, ao proporcionar uma base musculoesquelética mais eficaz para suportar a sobrecarga do esporte e ao garantir condições para equilibrar as musculaturas agonistas e antagonistas, 18 está relacionado a uma menor prevalência de lesões.…”

Age-dependent Knee Joint Isokinetic Profile in Professional Male Soccer Players

“…Isokinetic profiles are frequently used to identify the factors related to injuries of joints (Siddle et al, 2019;Torres-Banduc et al, 2021), including the knee (Croisier et al, 2008;Stastny et al, 2018). Indeed, the knee-joint isokinetic profile (KJIP) may predict injury risk using markers such as peak torque between agonist/antagonist muscles (i.e.…”

“…Moreover, the training level may be predicted by isokinetic torque and power independently. (Toskić et al, 2020), helping to discriminate between athletes within the same sport (Torres-Banduc et al, 2021). The isokinetic total work capacity of the hamstring also differs between soccer players of different countries and levels (Śliwowski et al, 2020).…”