Management of scapular dyskinesis through resistance training: an 8-week randomized clinical trial in collegiate overhead athletes
Benjamin Whitt, Jeff Barfield
Athletes involved in repetitive overhead movements are at increased risk of a shoulder injury and subsequent movement compensation because of the demanding mechanics required by these actions. One compensation frequently associated with repetitive overhead movement is scapular dyskinesis. Scapular dyskinesis has been widely attributed to muscular inefficiencies surrounding the shoulder and shoulder girdle and linked to injury susceptibility around the upper extremity. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of an eight-week resistance training program focused on scapular muscles versus a traditional stretching program on scapular kinematics, scapulothoracic muscle activity, and pain in collegiate overhead athletes with scapular dyskinesis. Male and female collegiate athletes will be recruited during the off-season of their respective sports (baseball, softball, tennis, and volleyball). Athletes will be screened by clinicians to determine the presence of scapular dyskinesis [4-type classification, Yes/No classification, and Scapular Dyskinesis Test (SDT)]. Individuals diagnosed with any grade of scapular dyskinesis will be asked to participate in the study and then randomly assigned to a resistance training program or traditional stretching program. A sample size of 40 participants is expected (n= 20 athletes per group). Training will take place twice a week in a controlled gym under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Study outcomes (presence of scapular dyskinesis, scapular movement, muscle activity, and pain) will be assessed by clinicians during SDT using three-dimensional kinematics, surface electromyography (EMG), and a numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), at baseline and after 8 weeks of follow-up. Intergroup and intragroup comparisons will be analyzed by Student's independent t-test and paired t-test, respectively. Following assessment and evaluation, we expect that participants in the resistance training group will have significantly fewer symptoms of dyskinesis when compared to the stretching group.
Benjamin Whitt is a senior exercise science major with a concentration in pre-physical therapy originally from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He currently serves as one of the tutors for the PEES department for courses such as exercise physiology and biomechanics. At the same time, Ben is participating in an internship at CORA Physical Therapy with Dr. Jonathan Keown. Following graduation in May, he plans on taking a gap year to gain additional experience in the field before returning to physical therapy school.