Shoulder Injury Prevention Program for Overhead/Throwing Athletes Phase 1 of 3 We have collaborated with @tennisprehablab breaking down a study conducted in 2017 by Andersson et al. which examined the effects of shoulder injury prevention program implemented 3x/week during a 7-month handball season. The study was a prospective cluster randomized control trial that included participation of 45 teams equating to 660 players. The program was developed to improve: - Shoulder internal rotation (IR) - External rotation (ER) - Scapular muscle strength - Kinetic chain & T/S mobility 5 exercises were selected & were employed as the teams’ warm-up & took approx. 10 minutes to perform. These 5 exercises were progress in 3 phases. Impairments/risk factors are similar for most overhead athletes including: total shoulder rotation (ER greater than IR), ER weakness & scapula dyskinesis (faulty shoulder blade movement). This will cause anterior humeral head translation, posterior cuff tightness, and chronic capsular stress, ultimately resulting in risk of rotator cuff & labrum pathology. Results: 28% lower risk of shoulder problems & 22% lower risk of substantial shoulder problems in the intervention group compared w/ the control group who performed routine warm-up. Phase 1: Weeks 1-6 1. Push up plus w/ Trunk Rotation: a. Drive shoulder blades toward the floor & out b. Maintain push up plus position, scapular stability during trunk rotation. c. 3 x 8-16 reps 2. Standing Y with resistance band a. Maintain neutral spine position b. Do not shrug shoulders c. ER shoulders (thumb pointed up) during arm elevation. d. 3 x 8-16 reps 3. Quadruped trunk rotation w/ ball a. Maintain neutral lumbar spine position b. Maintain shoulder stability of grounded arm during rotation c. Exhale as you rotate through the T/S d. 3 x 8-16 reps 4. Sleeper Stretch a. Lie on side & ensure shoulder blade is blocked by ground b. Gently press on hand to stretch the post cuff c. 3 x 30 second holds 5. Standing 90/90 ER a. Maintain 90° at the shoulder and elbow b. Maintain scapular stability (avoid shrugging shoulder) c. Slowly lower med ball down to floor d. 3 x 10-20 reps Citation: Andersson, Stig Haugsboe, et al. "Preventing overuse shoulder injuries among throwing athletes: a cluster-randomised controlled trial in 660 elite handball players." Br J Sports Med 51.14 (2017): 1073-1080.
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