The acute effects of sleeper stretches on shoulder range of motion.
BACKGROUND
The deceleration phase of the throwing motion creates large distraction forces at the shoulder, which may result in posterior shoulder tightness and ensuing alterations in shoulder range of motion (ROM) and may result in an increased risk of shoulder injury. Researchers have hypothesized that various stretching options increase this motion, but few data on the effectiveness of treating such tightness are available.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the acute effects of "sleeper stretches" on shoulder ROM.


METHODS
Descriptive with repeated measures.


METHODS
Biomechanics laboratory and 2 separate collegiate athletic training facilities.


METHODS
Thirty-three National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball players (15 pitchers, 18 position players; age = 19.8 +/- 1.3 years, height = 184.7 +/- 6.4 cm, mass = 84.8 +/- 7.7 kg) and 33 physically active male college students (age = 20.1 +/- 0.6 years, height = 179.6 +/- 6.6 cm, mass = 83.4 +/- 11.3 kg) who reported no recent participation (within 5 years) in overhead athletic activities.


METHODS
Range-of-motion measurements of the dominant shoulder were assessed before and after completion of 3 sets of 30-second passive sleeper stretches among the baseball players. The ROM measurements in the nonthrower group were taken using identical methods as those in the baseball group, but this group did not perform any stretch or movement between measurements.


METHODS
Internal and external glenohumeral rotation ROM and posterior shoulder motion (glenohumeral horizontal adduction).


RESULTS
In the baseball group, posterior shoulder tightness, internal rotation ROM, and external rotation ROM were -3.5 degrees +/- 7.7 degrees , 43.8 degrees +/- 9.5 degrees , and 118.6 degrees +/- 10.9 degrees , respectively, before the stretches and were -1.2 degrees +/- 8.8 degrees , 46.9 degrees +/- 9.8 degrees , and 119.2 degrees +/- 11.0 degrees , respectively, after the stretches. These data revealed increases in posterior shoulder motion (P = .01, effect size = 0.30) and in internal shoulder rotation (P = .003, effect size = 0.32) after application of the stretches. No other differences were observed in the baseball group, and no differences were noted in the nonthrower group.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our results, the sleeper stretches produced a statistically significant acute increase in posterior shoulder flexibility. However, this change in motion may not be clinically significant.
Laudner
Kevin G
KG
Illinois State University, School of Kinesiology and Recreation, Normal, IL 61790, USA. klaudne@ilstu.edu
Sipes
Robert C
RC
Wilson
James T
JT
D000328:Adult; D001484:Baseball / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*