Glenohumeral joint: internal and external rotation range of motion in javelin throwers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess differences in glenohumeral joint rotatory range of movement in javelin throwers between the throwing and non-throwing arm.


METHODS
A universal 360 degrees goniometer was used to assess glenohumeral joint external and internal rotation range in 90 degrees of shoulder abduction in a group of ten senior international javelin throwers.


RESULTS
Both arms had significantly greater degrees of external than internal rotation (p < 0.01), and the throwing arm had significantly greater range of external rotation than the non-throwing arm (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of an excessive range of external rotation in the throwing shoulder has the potential to increase eccentric load on the rotator cuff muscles and strain on the passive restraints of the glenohumeral joint. Both of these factors have been implicated in the pathological processes leading to injury in the overhead throwing athlete.
Sport Science and Medicine Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University, Crewe and Alsager Faculty, Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom.
L
L
Herrington
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012399:Rotation; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014142:Track and Field / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*