Exercises with the StretchPole improve shoulder joint range of motion

Abstract

The ‘StretchPole’ foam roller product is mainly used to loosen muscle groups and joints in the deeper layers of the body that are normally inaccessible to the human hand, and to realign the skeletal structure by lying on the pole and performing exercises. It is also used to strengthen the core, which plays an important role in postural maintenance and stability. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the ‘Solacon’ exercise routine using a StretchPole on shoulder joint range of motion. Forty healthy participants performed Solacon exercises using a StretchPole. The specific method of Solacon comprises six movements: (1) chest slide, (2) crescent, (3) cone, (4) twister, (5) shoulder alternating rotation, and (6) chin-in exercise. The joint range of motion of the bilateral shoulder joint flexion, abduction, horizontal abduction, and external rotation (1st and 2nd) were measured before and after the exercises. All measures were significantly higher after exercise compared to before exercise. Solacon exercises improve thoracic spine and scapular mobility and stretch the anterior thoracic muscle groups. The shoulder joint in the broad sense consists of the humerus, scapula, clavicle, sternum, and ribs. These in turn constitute the scapulohumeral joint, acromioclavicular joint, sternoclavicular joint, scapulothoracic joint and functional second shoulder joint. In addition, costovertebral joints and intervertebral joints are also involved because of the added motion of the ribs and the spine. We considered that the ranges of motion of shoulder joint flexion, abduction, horizontal abduction, and external rotation measured in this study were expanded.