Shoulder Range of Motion, Rotator Strength, and Upper-Extremity Functional Performance in Junior Tennis Players

Abstract

Purpose: Repetitive and asymmetric movements in tennis can result in biomechanical adaptation in shoulder joint. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in shoulder range of motion (ROM), strength, and functional performance tests between the dominant and nondominant shoulders, as well as to identify gender differences in junior tennis players. Methods: Forty-two junior tennis players (age mean: 11.3 [1.2] y, body mass index 18.3 [2.4] kg/m2) were included in the study. Shoulder internal rotation (IR), external rotation (ER) ROM, and total ROM, IR and ER isokinetic strength and closed kinetic chain upper-extremity stability, seated medicine ball throw used, grip hold tests were applied bilaterally. Paired sample t test and Student t test were used to compare the differences. Results: ER ROM was greater, while IR ROM and total ROM were lower on the dominant shoulder (all P values < .05). Nineteen players had glenohumeral IR deficit (IR ROM difference >13°). The players had a greater ER strength on the dominant side and similar IR strength between shoulders. There was significant difference in seated medicine ball throw results between the dominant and nondominant sides (P < .001). The mean distance for bilateral seated medicine ball throw was 377.02 (85.70) m, and closed kinetic chain upper-extremity stability results were calculated as a mean of 15.85 (1.72) touches. Differences between the genders: total ROM of the dominant shoulder was higher in female players (P = .045), the IR PT/BW at 60°/s angular speed was higher in male players’ dominant shoulder (P = .030), and closed kinetic chain upper-extremity stability performance was higher in male players (P = .019). Conclusions: Adolescent tennis players demonstrated differences in strength, ROM, and functional performance results between the dominant and nondominant shoulders. Gender differences were also seen in the aforementioned parameters in junior tennis players. Determining these differences may improve our understanding of sport-specific shoulder joint adaptations in tennis.

Role of active joint position sense on the upper extremity functional performance tests in college volleyball players

“…For the bilateral SMBT, the participants held a 2-kilogram (kg) medicine ball with shoulders in 90° abduction and elbows flexed, so that the ball was placed at the centre of their chest. The participant then pushed the ball away from the centre of their chest in a straight line as far as possible, using a motion similar to a basketball chest pass ( Borms & Cools, 2018 ; Cigercioglu et al, 2021 ; Declève, Van Cant & Cools, 2021 ; Harris et al, 2011 ). For the unilateral component of the test, participants held a 2 kg medicine ball with their dominant hands and placed their shoulders in 90° abduction (in the scapular plane) and their elbows in 90° flexion.…”

“…For the unilateral component of the test, participants held a 2 kg medicine ball with their dominant hands and placed their shoulders in 90° abduction (in the scapular plane) and their elbows in 90° flexion. Then, the participants were asked to throw the medicine ball horizontally and far as possible ( Cigercioglu et al, 2021 ). The correct throwing technique was monitored by an evaluator.…”

“…Upper extremity functional performance tests have been widely applied in overhead sports such as volleyball, handball, basketball, tennis and swimming for the evaluation of the functional performance of athletes in open and/or closed-kinetic chains of the upper extremities ( Borms, Maenhout & Cools, 2016 ; Borms & Cools, 2018 ; Cigercioglu et al, 2021 ; Gorman et al, 2012 ; Taylor et al, 2016 ; van den Tillaar & Marques, 2013 ). Popular upper extremity functional performance tests include the Y-Balance Test Upper Quarter (YBT-UQ) ( Cook, 2010 ; Gorman et al, 2012 ) and the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) ( Goldbeck & Davies, 2000 ), theorized to measure the dynamic stability of the upper extremity in a weight-bearing position ( Borms & Cools, 2018 ; Taylor et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Popular upper extremity functional performance tests include the Y-Balance Test Upper Quarter (YBT-UQ) ( Cook, 2010 ; Gorman et al, 2012 ) and the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) ( Goldbeck & Davies, 2000 ), theorized to measure the dynamic stability of the upper extremity in a weight-bearing position ( Borms & Cools, 2018 ; Taylor et al, 2016 ). Moreover, there is also the Seated Medicine Ball Throw (SMBT) test which quantifies the force and power of unilateral and bilateral throwing involving the upper extremities in an open-kinetic chain context; which is a practical functional test for athletes engaged in overhead sports ( Cigercioglu et al, 2021 ; Harris et al, 2011 ). Although the YBT-UQ and CKCUEST do not specifically mimic the activity of throwing, they are important tests to consider for overhead athletes, such as volleyball players, as they test the function of the entire upper extremity kinetic chain, which is essential for the mechanism of throwing ( Borms & Cools, 2018 ; Mendez-Rebolledo et al, 2022 ).…”

Professional tennis players suffer high prevalence of shoulder alterations during the season: a possible tennis shoulder syndrome

“…Most of the body of literature regarding the shoulder of tennis players focuses on non-professional players (without ATP /WTA ranking), both children [3,[13][14][15][16][17][18] and veterans [10,[19][20][21] and as a result, conclusions in the professional cohort are diicult to extrapolate.…”