O2553 KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF GLENOHUMERAL ROM IN HIGH LEVEL TENNIS PLAYERS USING ULTRASONOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENT

Abstract

Aims: Aim of this study was to asses the glenohumeral joint internal and external range of motion using ultra-sonographic based kinematic measurement. Methods: 27 male professional tennis players were bilaterally measured for internal and external rotation at 90 degrees of shoulder abduction while negating scapulothoracic motion. The normal control group consisted of 20 asymptomatic volunteers. Results: Both arms had signiþcantly greater degrees of external rotation than internal rotation (p< 0,05). The dominant arm (playing arm) had signiþcantly greater range of external rotation than the nondominant arm (p< 0,01). Analysis of internal rotational deþciency showed highly decreased internal rotation on the dominant arm (p< 0,01). The total rotational range of motion of the dominant arm was also found signiþcantly less (p< 0,01) in the elite tennis players. No signiþcant difference was found for the dominant and nondominant extremity in the control group. Conclusions: The objective measurement of glenohumeral rotational abilities has clinical application for the development of a speciþc treatment protocol that may reduce the risk of shoulder injury.