Effect of scapular stabilization during horizontal adduction stretching on passive internal rotation and posterior shoulder tightness in young women volleyball athletes: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of scapular stabilization during horizontal adduction stretching (cross-body) on posterior shoulder tightness (PST) and passive internal rotation (IR).

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial with single blinding.

SETTING

Athletic club.

PARTICIPANTS

Asymptomatic volleyball players who are women with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (N=60).

INTERVENTIONS

Subjects were randomly assigned to either horizontal adduction stretching with manual scapular stabilization (n=30) or horizontal adduction stretching without stabilization (n=30). Passive stretching was performed for 3- to 30-second holds in both groups.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Range of motion measurements of PST and IR were performed on the athlete's dominant shoulder prior to and immediately after the intervention.

RESULTS

Baseline mean angular measurements of PST and IR for all athletes involved in the study were 62°±14° and 40°±10°, respectively, with no significant difference between groups (P=.598 and P=.734, respectively). Mean PST measurements were significantly different between groups after the horizontal adduction stretch, with a mean angle of 83°±17° among the scapular stabilization group and 65°±13° among the nonstabilization group (P<.001). Measurements of IR were also significantly different between groups, with a mean angle of 51°±14° among the scapular stabilization group and 43°±9° among the nonstabilization group (P=.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Horizontal adduction stretches performed with scapular stabilization produced significantly greater improvements in IR and PST than horizontal adduction stretching without scapular stabilization.