Evaluation of shoulder joint position sense in both asymptomatic and rehabilitated professional rugby players and matched controls.
OBJECTIVE
To assess if joint position sense (JPS) in the shoulder differed between un-injured rugby players, matched control subjects and previously injured rehabilitated rugby players.


METHODS
Mixed design.


METHODS
University biomechanics laboratory.


METHODS
15 asymptomatic professional rugby union players, 15 previously injured professional rugby union players, 15 asymptomatic matched non-rugby playing controls had their JPS assessed.


METHODS
JPS was assessed using two criterion angles in the 90 degrees shoulder abduction position (45 degrees and 80 degrees external rotation).


RESULTS
The study found a significant difference between groups in error score (p=0.02). The testing angle also had a significant effect on error score (p=0.002), with greater error scores occurring in the mid range position.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed rugby players to have better JPS than controls, indicating JPS might not be related to injury risk. Poor JPS appears to be related to injury, players having sustained an injury have decreased JPS despite surgery and/or rehabilitation and returning to sport without incident.
Directorate of Sport, Exercise and Physiotherapy, University of Salford, Allerton Building, Manchester M6 6PU, United Kingdom. l.c.herrington@salford.ac.uk
Lee
L
Herrington
Ian
I
Horsley
Christer
C
Rolf
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D011434:Proprioception; D012307:Risk Factors; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult