Scapular dyskinesis (SD) is common in overhead athletes and negatively influence the athletes' performance, increasing the risk of shoulder injury. The kinetic chain (KC) exercises for SD rehabilitation that emphasize importance of core strength and scapula stability during skillful performance. Ai Chi, the aquatic exercises performed in functional positions, which are adequate for power transfer of KC. This study will investigate the effect of KC-based water exercises, Ai Chi, on scapular muscles in overhead athletes with SD.
The purpose of this study is to investigate muscle activations of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), latissimus dorsi (LD), and muscle balance ratios of UT/LT, UT/SA I in overhead athletes with SD via KC-based exercise in water and on land. KC-based exercises including the movement patterns of Ai Chi which consist of shoulder flexion/ extension, horizontal abduction/ adduction, internal and external rotation, scapular protraction/retraction combined with spinal rotation.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
21
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan
Percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction of upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), latissimus dorsi (LD)
The muscle activity of UT, LT, SA and LD of the dominant hand will be recorded for 3 trials of each exercises with 3-seconds concentric phase and 3-seconds eccentric phase. There is a 3-second rest between trails and one-minute rest between exercises.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 months
Muscle balance ratio of UT/SA
The muscle balance ratio will be calculated to represent the conditions of these force couples in scapular region.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 months
Muscle balance ratio of UT/LT
The muscle balance ratio will be calculated to represent the conditions of these force couples in scapular region.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 months
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