Efficacy of throwing exercise with TheraBand in male volleyball players with shoulder internal rotation deficit: a randomized controlled trial

Mohsen Moradi,Julien S Baker,Amir Letafatkar,Zohre Khosrokiani,Malihe Hadadnezhad

doi:10.1186/s12891-020-03414-y

Mohsen Moradi, Julien S Baker + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03414-y

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Abstract

BackgroundThe Glenohumeral internal-rotation deficit (GIRD) is related to the altered eccentric external-rotator (ER), the concentric internal-rotator (IR), muscle strength, and the ER: IR ratio. GIRD has been documented as a risk factor for shoulder injuries. However, few studies have investigated the effect of an exercise training on these parameters in athletes with GIRD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week throwing exercise with a TheraBand for retraining the rotator cuff on Electromyography (EMG) activity of selected muscles, rotator cuff muscle strength, the glenohumeral (GH) joint IR range of motion (ROM) and GH joint position sense in asymptomatic male volleyball players with GIRD.MethodsSixty male volleyball players with GIRD were randomized into either a training group or a control group. The experimental group underwent an 8-week throwing exercise with a TheraBand including 5 sessions of stretching and 3 sessions of strengthening exercises per week. The control group received an active self-exercise program. EMG (onset time and muscle activation), shoulder range of motion (ROMs), strength and GH joint position sense were all assessed pre and post trainings.ResultsThere were statistically significant within-group differences in the EMG activity of the anterior deltoid (p = 0.005), middle deltoid (p = 0.007), posterior deltoid (p = 0.004), infraspinatus (p = 0.001) and supraspinatus (p = 0.001) muscles, IR ROM (p = 0.001), rotator cuff muscle strength ratio (p = 0.001), and GH joint position sense (p = 0.033) in the experimental group. A 2 × 2 analysis of variance with a mixed model design and independent and paired t-tests were used for statistical analysis.ConclusionsThrowing exercise with a TheraBand improved shoulder muscle activation, IR ROM, rotator cuff muscle strength ratio and GH joint position sense in participants with GIRD. These findings may improve the treatment of GIRD in a clinical setting. Although the results are significant, further studies should follow up the long-term effects of the Throwing exercise with a TheraBand on GIRD.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials using the UMIN-RCT website with ID number of, UMIN000038416 “Retrospectively registered” at 2019/10/29.

Highlights

The Glenohumeral internal-rotation deficit (GIRD) is related to the altered eccentric external-rotator (ER), the concentric internal-rotator (IR), muscle strength, and the ER: IR ratio
The results are significant, further studies should follow up the long-term effects of the Throwing exercise with a TheraBand on GIRD
Overhead athletes, like volleyball players, can demonstrate altered glenohumeral (GH) joint mobility and flexibility in the dominant hand resulting in significantly less internal rotation (IR) and greater external rotation (ER) of the shoulder, classified as glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) [1,2,3,4,5]

Summary

Introduction

The Glenohumeral internal-rotation deficit (GIRD) is related to the altered eccentric external-rotator (ER), the concentric internal-rotator (IR), muscle strength, and the ER: IR ratio. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week throwing exercise with a TheraBand for retraining the rotator cuff on Electromyography (EMG) activity of selected muscles, rotator cuff muscle strength, the glenohumeral (GH) joint IR range of motion (ROM) and GH joint position sense in asymptomatic male volleyball players with GIRD. Like volleyball players, can demonstrate altered glenohumeral (GH) joint mobility and flexibility in the dominant hand resulting in significantly less internal rotation (IR) and greater external rotation (ER) of the shoulder, classified as glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) [1,2,3,4,5]. The excessive posterior capsular tightness produced by repetitive functional positions of 90° shoulder abduction and ER ≥ 90° makes the humeral head shift antero-superiorly compared with a normal shoulder in throwing movements [5, 7]

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