Prevention of shoulder injuries in overhead athletes: a science-based approach

• Published in: Revista brasileira de fisioterapia (São Carlos (São Paulo, Brazil))
• Main Authors: Cools, Ann M, Johansson, Fredrik R, Borms, Dorien, Maenhout, Annelies
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil 01.09.2015
• ISSN: 1809-9246

The shoulder is at high risk for injury during overhead sports, in particular in throwing or hitting activities, such as baseball, tennis, handball, and volleyball. In order to create a scientific basis for the prevention of recurrent injuries in overhead athletes, four steps need to be undertaken: (1) risk factors for injury and re-injury need to be defined; (2) established risk factors may be used as return-to-play criteria, with cut-off values based on normative databases; (3) these variables need to be measured using reliable, valid assessment tools and procedures; and (4) preventative training programs need to be designed and implemented into the training program of the athlete in order to prevent re-injury. In general, three risk factors have been defined that may form the basis for recommendations for the prevention of recurrent injury and return to play after injury: glenohumeral internal-rotation deficit (GIRD); rotator cuff strength, in particular the strength of the external rotators; and scapular dyskinesis, in particular scapular position and strength.