The effects of preventive rubber band training on shoulder joint imbalance and throwing performance in handball players: a randomized and prospective study

• Published in: Journal of bodywork and movement therapies Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 1017 - 1023
• Main Authors: Mascarin, Naryana Cristina, PhD, PT, de Lira, Claudio Andre Barbosa, PhD, BSc, Vancini, Rodrigo Luiz, PhD, PE, da Silva, Antonio Carlos, PhD, MD, Andrade, Marilia Santos, PhD, PT
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; Athletes; Biomechanical Phenomena; Female; Humans; Isokinetic dynamometer; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscular balance; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Prospective Studies; Range of Motion, Articular; Resistance Training - methods; Rotator Cuff - physiology; Shoulder; Shoulder Joint - physiology; Strength training; Strength training; Shoulder; Isokinetic dynamometer; Muscular balance
• ISSN: 1360-8592; 1532-9283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.01.003

Abstract Objectives To investigate the effects of a strength training program (STP) using rubber band exercises. Methods Twenty-five athletes were divided into two groups: muscular imbalance in the dominant (D) and in the non-dominant (ND) upper limbs. Each group was subdivided into experimental and control groups. Experimental groups performed eighteen sessions of STP. Athletes were submitted to ball throwing and isokinetic strength tests to assess the muscular strength of the shoulder rotator muscles and conventional and functional balance ratios. Results STP improved external rotator peak torque (18.0±0.8 to 21.3±1.0Nm, p<0.01) and total work (29.3±0.9 to 34.5±1.5J, p<0.01) in the D experimental group, while only total work (34.8±2.5 to 37.6±3.1J, p<0.03) improved in the D control group. The ND experimental group also presented significant improvement in external rotator peak torque (18.8±0.8 to 21.1±1.3Nm, p<0.01) and total work values (29.0±1.4 to 34.6 to 1.6J, p<0.01) while there was no strength improvement in the ND control group. The ND experimental group showed an improvement in conventional (61.5±3.5 to 72.7±3.0%, p=0.03) and functional (1.0±0.1 to 1.6±0.08, p<0.01) ratios. STP did not improve the conventional ratio in the D experimental group. However, STP produced a large effect size. The D experimental group presented an improvement in ball velocity (49.0±2.4 to 52.5±2.2km/h, p=0.04) in standing position throwing. Conclusions STP improves muscular strength of external rotator muscles and muscular balance.