Reference Values for Glenohumeral Joint Rotational Range of Motion in Elite Tennis Players

Abstract

Background: Due to the repetitive overhead activity involved in playing tennis and the physical demands of the game, shoulder joint injury is common. There is limited research available describing sport specific risk factors for injury in tennis, however, changes in shoulder rotational range of motion (ROM) have been associated with injury in other overhead 'throwing' type sports.Purpose: This study had two purposes: i) to identify reference values for passive glenohumeral joint rotational ROM in elite tennis players, and, ii) to investigate differences in ROM between various age groups of players. Study design:Cross-sectional analysis. Methods:Data was collected at national performance camps held at a National Tennis Centre between September 2012 and July 2015. One hundred and eighty-four tennis players aged between 11 and 24 years took part. All had a top eight national ranking within their respective age group. Participants were divided into three age groups; under 14 years, 14-15 years, and 16 years and over. The main outcome measures were dominant and non-dominant internal and external rotation as well as total glenohumeral joint passive ROM. Results:Reduced internal, and greater external rotation passive ROM were identified on the dominant side (p < 0.05), however, no side-to-side differences in total rotation ROM were found (p > 0.05). A glenohumeral joint internal rotation deficit (GIRD) was prevalent on the dominant side, which increased in magnitude with rising player age. Differences in dominant side internal and external rotation ROM were identified between age groups with the 14-15-year olds having less internal and greater external rotation than the under 14-year olds and the over 16-year old athletes (p < 0.05). The total range of motion values were not found to differ between age groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions:This study provides reference values for glenohumeral joint rotational ROM in elite tennis players and demonstrates age specific differences. Future studies should investigate links between changes in ROM and injury risk. Level of evidence: 3

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

“…Colour intensity and the form of the circle are proportional to the correlation coefficients. a dominant to non-dominant difference; b clinical relevance of a GIRD; *correlation is significant at the .05 level; ** correlation is significant at the .01 level performance instead of being a risk factor for injuries [33]. Manske et al [12] stated that a GIRD may be required to generate sufficient forces during tennis serves and does not lead to a pathological GIRD.…”

“…It is still unclear whether physiological shoulder adaptations in overhead athletes are protective against tissue damage or if previous tissue damage leads to future shoulder injuries [ 20 ]. There is, furthermore, a debate whether physiological GIRD may even improves athletes’ performance instead of being a risk factor for injuries [ 33 ]. Manske et al [ 12 ] stated that a GIRD may be required to generate sufficient forces during tennis serves and does not lead to a pathological GIRD.…”

Assessment of Spinal Range of Motion and Musculoskeletal Discomfort in Forklift Drivers. A Cross-Sectional Study

“…It may be possible that the repetitive movements needed to drive the forklift truck caused these differences in the spinal ROM between groups. Previous studies described ROM adaptations in other joints due to repetitive movements, as shown in the shoulder rotation of tennis, baseball, and softball players [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

“…Kramárová et al suggested that decreased ROM and musculoskeletal discomfort are symptoms of the beginning of MSDs for forklift operators [ 8 ]. Past studies observed how repeated and specific movements could generate adaptations in a joint’s ROM [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Bilateral Asymmetries of Humeral Retroversion in Junior and Collegiate Tennis Players

“…19,20 Previous studies have demonstrated tennis players similarly display rotational ROM adaptations of the dominant shoulder. [21][22][23][24] However, HRV data pertaining to tennis players are scarce, further limiting our understanding of its implications on shoulder ROM adaptations.…”