The Effects of Sleeper and Superman Stretches on Time-Zero Shoulder Range of Motion in Collegiate Athletes.

Amr Tawfik,Joshua Hornstein,Gregory R Toci,Daniel Fletcher,Brian Gibbs,Christopher Aland,Francis Sirch,Evan Conte

doi:10.7759/cureus.22600

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to determine whether prone cross-body adduction (superman stretch) improves range of motion (ROM) more than the sleeper stretch.MethodsCollegiate overhead athletes were randomized to either a sleeper group or a superman stretch group. ROM measurements were collected before and after stretches by three orthopedic surgeons.ResultsWe assessed a total of 212 shoulders. Both stretches demonstrated significant improvements in ROM, except horizontal adduction, which only improved in the superman stretch group.ConclusionsThe superman stretch may be superior in producing immediate improvements in horizontal adduction when compared to the traditional sleeper stretch.

Highlights

Throwing athletes subject their shoulders to repeated forces, which leads to several adaptive changes [1]
Both stretches demonstrated significant improvements in range of motion (ROM), except horizontal adduction, which only improved in the superman stretch group
The superman stretch may be superior in producing immediate improvements in horizontal adduction when compared to the traditional sleeper stretch

Summary

Introduction

Throwing athletes subject their shoulders to repeated forces, which leads to several adaptive changes [1]. Increased ER is commonly balanced with a decrease in internal rotation (IR), maintaining an equivalent total rotational motion arc [2] These adaptive changes act as the catalyst for pathology, as the majority of shoulder injuries occur at the limits of ER [1,2]. Repeated microtrauma leads to soft tissue and bony changes, reducing IR and leading to posterior shoulder tightness (PST) [3] This serves as a risk factor for developing injuries including internal shoulder impingement, superior labral tears, and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, which may negatively impact athletic performance [4]. While the data evaluating the efficacy of specific stretches is limited, it is acknowledged that stretching programs help maintain shoulder flexibility and improve the range of motion (ROM) of many joints [7]

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Methods

Conclusion