MUSCULAR IMBALANCE AND SHOULDER PAIN IN VOLLEYBALL ATTACKERS

Objective-In overhead sports such as volleyball, baseball, or tennis s houlder problems are very common. The aim of this study was to identif y features which may correlate with shoulder problems in volleyball at tackers. Methods-30 competitive volleyball attackers (mean age 25 year s) were included in the study; 15 were suffering from shoulder pain an d 15 had no history of shoulder pain. The results were compared with t hose of a control group of 15 recreational athletes without any overhe ad sports activities. Results-Volleyball attackers have a different mu scular and capsular pattern at the playing shoulder compared to the op posite shoulder. Their playing shoulder is depressed, the scapula late ralised, and the dorsal muscles and the posterior and inferior part of the shoulder capsule shortened. These differences were of more signif icance in volleyball attackers with shoulder pain than in volleyball p layers without shoulder pain. In contrast to recreational athletes wit hout any overhead sports activity, there were no significant differenc e in the comparison of the two shoulders. The histories, clinical and sonographic findings did not reveal further typical features for volle yball attackers with shoulder pain. Conclusions-Muscular balance of th e shoulder girdle is very important in this sport. It is therefore imp erative to include adequate stretching and muscular training programme for the prevention, as well as for therapy, of shoulder pain in volle yball attackers.