Risk Factors for Shoulder Injuries Clinical Trial
Official title:
Analysis of Sport Specific Adaptations of the Shoulder in Adolescent Elite Handball Players and the Influence of the Preventive Use of Tape on Shoulder Strength, Mobility, the Position of the Scapula and the Size of the Subacromial Space.
Shoulder complaints are very common in overhead athletes.The application of kinesiotape that
keeps the shoulder in a correct position is used to avoid this.
This could enlarge the dynamic size of the subacromial space and thus contribute to
prevention of shoulder injuries.
30 young elite handball players will participate in this study.Researchers will perform a
number of measurements before and after applying kinesiotape to correct shoulder position:
- measurement of subacromial space
- measurement of 3D kinematics of shoulder
- assessment of shoulder posture
Hypothesis of this study is that tape can influence the position of the scapula and is
therefore able to change the size of the subacromial space.This results in a more efficient
use of shoulder muscles with higher maximal strength as a result and maximizes shoulder
mobility.
Shoulder complaints are very common in overhead athletes. Throwing motions question large
explosive strength and stability of the intrinsic instable shoulder joint. Malpositioning of
the scapula increases the risk of overload injuries.
The application of kinesiotape that keeps the shoulder in a correct position is used to
avoid this. Until now no studies have shown if the tape is able to correct the position of
the scapula. If this is the case, the application of the tape could enlarge the dynamic size
of the subacromial space (virtual space in the shoulder in which rotator cuff tendons run
through) and thus contribute to prevention of shoulder injuries.
This study will take place in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Robert Van Cingel, director of
the Sports Medical Center Papendal(SMCP) in the Netherlands. SMCP is a multidisciplinary
center for sports medicine, sports rehabilitation and sports cardiology.
30 young elite handball players will participate in this study. Three researchers will
perform a number of measurements before and after applying kinesiotape to correct shoulder
position.
1. Measurement of the size of the subacromial space with dynamic ultrasound. Ultrasound is
completely harmless and painless.
2. Measurement of three-dimensional kinematics of the shoulder with FASTRAK. Sensors are
placed on the skin of the shoulder with adhesive tape. Both placement of markers and
measurements are non-invasive and painless.
3. Assessment of shoulder posture by measuring several angles and distances. Measurement
of shoulder strength and mobility. These measurements are all non-invasive and
painless.
Hypothesis of this study is that tape can influence the position of the scapula and is
therefore able to change the size of the subacromial space. This results in a more efficient
use of shoulder muscles with higher maximal strength as a result and maximizes shoulder
mobility.
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Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Prevention