Effects of ShoulderSphere Exercises in Young Adults

Overview

This study evaluated the effects of ShoulderSphere exercises on shoulder stability, muscle strength, proprioception, endurance, and functional performance in young adults. ShoulderSphere is an exercise device that provides dynamic and multi-directional resistance during shoulder movements. The study compared an 8-week ShoulderSphere-based exercise program with a conventional shoulder stabilization exercise program based on selected Thrower's Ten exercises. Young adults without current shoulder symptoms were included in the study. Participants were assigned to one of two exercise groups. Shoulder stability, functional upper-extremity performance, shoulder proprioception, and isokinetic muscle strength and endurance were assessed before and after the 8-week intervention. The aim of the study was to determine whether ShoulderSphere exercises produced different effects compared with conventional shoulder stabilization exercises in young adults.

This study was designed as a controlled pretest-posttest intervention study in young adults. The purpose was to compare the effects of an 8-week ShoulderSphere-based exercise program with a conventional shoulder stabilization exercise program based on selected Thrower's Ten exercises. Participants were young adults between 18 and 40 years of age who did not have current shoulder pain or clinical shoulder symptoms. Participants were assigned to either the ShoulderSphere exercise group or the conventional exercise group. The ShoulderSphere group performed exercises using the ShoulderSphere device, which provides dynamic resistance and requires continuous control of shoulder movement. The conventional exercise group performed selected shoulder stabilization exercises based on the Thrower's Ten program. Both interventions were applied for 8 weeks. Outcome assessments were performed before and after the intervention period. Shoulder stability was assessed using the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test. Functional upper-extremity performance was assessed using the seated single-arm medicine ball throw test. Shoulder proprioception was assessed using an active joint position sense test. Isokinetic shoulder muscle strength and endurance were assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. The main purpose of the study was to examine whether ShoulderSphere exercises had different effects from conventional shoulder stabilization exercises on shoulder stability, strength, proprioception, endurance, and functional performance in young adults.