The effect of tape on glenohumeral rotation range of motion in elite junior tennis players.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to establish if, in elite junior tennis players, there is a difference between the dominant and nondominant shoulders in the internal and external range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder and to examine the effect of taping the dominant shoulder on glenohumeral internal and external rotation ROM.


METHODS
Measurement of glenohumeral rotational ROM was performed on the dominant and nondominant shoulders in supine with the humerus abducted to 90 degrees.


METHODS
Training room at the New South Wales Institute of Sport tennis center, Homebush, New South Wales, Australia.


METHODS
Eleven asymptomatic male subjects and 10 asymptomatic female subjects from an elite junior training squad participated in the study.


METHODS
Humeral head repositioning with tape.


METHODS
Glenohumeral ROM.


RESULTS
A statistically significant decrease in internal rotation for both the male and female groups between the dominant and nondominant shoulders, but only the female group had a significant increase in external rotation in the dominant compared with the nondominant shoulder. There was also a statistically significant increase in range between the tape and no tape conditions for each rotation condition.


CONCLUSIONS
The specific application of tape to the glenohumeral joint can immediately increase rotational ROM in the dominant arm of tennis players.
McConnell
Jenny
J
McConnell & Clements Physiotherapy, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia. jennymcconnell@bigpond.com
McIntosh
Brad
B
D000293:Adolescent; D055052:Athletic Tape; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012399:Rotation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D013715:Tennis / Q000502:physiology*