Study of the difference of eccentric and concentric peak torque in lateral and medial rotators in water polo players' shoulder

• Published in: Revista brasileira de fisioterapia (São Carlos (São Paulo, Brazil)) Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 137 - 143
• Main Authors: Campos, T F, Petrone, KCO, Navega, M T, Renner, A F, Mattiello-Rosa, S M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: 01.08.2005
• ISSN: 1413-3555

The shoulder is the most injured joint in water polo players. Lesions may occur due to functional imbalance in the rotator cuff. This imbalance can be caused by continuous and brusque use of the arm in overhead or throwing positions, especially due to eccentric overload. To investigate the difference between eccentric and concentric peak torque in the lateral and medial rotators in both shoulders, and the isokinetic ratio between them, among water polo players. Twelve male volunteers water polo players, 20.8 plus or minus 1.7 years old, were assessed. They underwent isokinetic evaluation using the Biodex IIa dynamometer, at speeds of 60 degree /s and 150 degree /s, to obtain the eccentric and concentric peak torque in the lateral and medial rotators of the shoulder. The data were analyzed using Student's t test (p < 0.05). For concentric contraction, there were statistical differences in peak torque of the medial rotators, for both limbs at both speeds. For eccentric contraction, there were statistical differences only for the throwing limb, at both speeds, and it was greater for the medial rotators. In the ratio between peak torque of the lateral and medial rotators, there was a significant difference in the eccentric contraction, in both limbs, only at the speed of 60 degree /s. The results indicated that there is an imbalance in the concentric and eccentric contractions between the pairs of rotator cuff muscles in water polo players' shoulders. This is more evident in eccentric contraction, particularly in the throwing limb.