Forward Shoulder Posture in Collegiate Swimmers: A Comparative Analysis of Muscle-Energy Techniques.
BACKGROUND
Empirical data for treating forward shoulder posture supports stretching the anterior shoulder musculature. Although muscle-energy techniques (METs) have been hypothesized to lengthen muscle, no data have described the usefulness of this technique among swimmers.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if an MET provides improvements in resting pectoralis minor length (PML), forward scapular position, and scapular upward rotation in female collegiate swimmers.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


METHODS
Athletic training room.


METHODS
Thirty-nine asymptomatic National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women's swimmers (19 experimental, 20 control).


METHODS
The experimental group received 2 treatment sessions per week for 6 weeks. The control group received no intervention during this 6-week period.


METHODS
We administered pretest and posttest measurements for PML, forward scapular position, and scapular upward rotation in positions of rest and 60°, 90°, and 120° of humeral elevation. The MET consisted of a 3-second stretch in the direction of the pectoralis minor fibers, followed by a 5-second isometric horizontal adduction contraction at 25% of maximum force. Immediately after this contraction, the entire sequence was repeated with the muscle being stretched to the new endpoint. A total of 4 cycles of MET were continuously applied per treatment session twice per week for 6 weeks. We conducted 1-way analyses of covariance to determine any between-groups postintervention test differences.


RESULTS
The MET group had a greater increase in PML postintervention (P = .001, effect size = 1.6) and a greater decrease in forward scapular position postintervention (P = .001, effect size = 1.07) compared with the control group. No differences were found for scapular upward rotation (P > .10).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that 6 weeks of MET treatments applied to the pectoralis minor of asymptomatic female swimmers provided improvements in PML and forward scapular position compared with a control group.
Illinois State University, Normal;
Kevin G
KG
Laudner
Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI;
Melissa
M
Wenig
Illinois State University, Normal;
Noelle M
NM
Selkow
Illinois State University, Normal;
Jeffrey
J
Williams
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Eric
E
Post
D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation; D012540:Scapula / Q000502:physiology*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
injury prevention; manual therapy; scapular kinematics