Abstract
Various stretching techniques have been proposed to prevent or improve glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) and posterior shoulder tightness (PST). Cross-body stretch is one of the most common methods to address GIRD and PST. The current evidence is unclear with regards to the influences of glenohumeral rotational angle during cross-body stretch. This study aimed to compare the effects of cross-body stretch in neutral rotation and 90-degree external rotation (ER).
Highlights
Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) and posterior shoulder tightness (PST) have been reported in the contexts of various overhead sports, such as baseball, cricket, volleyball and tennis [1,2,3,4]
Only cross-body stretch in 90-degree external rotation (ER) led to significant immediate improvements in IR range of motion (ROM) (p < 0.05)
The findings suggest that either form of cross-body stretch may not be effective to improve PST immediately
Summary
Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) and posterior shoulder tightness (PST) have been reported in the contexts of various overhead sports, such as baseball, cricket, volleyball and tennis [1,2,3,4]. PST can be evaluated as passive shoulder horizontal adduction (HA) ROM with the scapula stabilized in supine or side lying [6]. Since both PST and GIRD are thought to reflect stiffness of posterior structures in the shoulder, the term PST is occasionally used instead of GIRD in order to describe decreased shoulder IR ROM [7]. The aetiology and the mechanism of GIRD and PST are still elusive, some studies postulated that these physical impairments can be caused by chronic tensile loading through repetitive throwing activities, leading to microtrauma, scar formation and thickening of the posterior joint capsule [8].
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