title: Comparison of Upper Extremity Physical Characteristics Between Adolescent Competitive Swimmers and Nonoverhead Athletes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alterations to upper extremity physical characteristics of competitive swimmers (posture, range of motion [ROM], and subacromial-space distance) are commonly attributed to cumulative training load during a swimmer's competitive career. However, this accepted clinical belief has not been established in the literature. It is important to understand whether alterations in posture and associated physical characteristics occur as a result of sport training or factors other than swimming participation to better understand injury risk and possible interventions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare posture, subacromial-space distance, and glenohumeral external-rotation, internal-rotation, and horizontal-adduction ROM between adolescent competitive swimmers and nonoverhead athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Local swimming pools and high school athletic training rooms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four competitive adolescent swimmers and 31 nonoverhead athletes who were not currently experiencing any elbow, shoulder, neck, or back pain that limited their sport activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Posture, subacromial-space distance, and glenohumeral ROM were measured using photography, diagnostic ultrasound, and a digital inclinometer, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forward shoulder posture, forward head posture, normalized subacromial-space distance, internal-rotation ROM, and external-rotation ROM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No clinically significant differences existed between swimmers and nonoverhead athletes for posture, normalized subacromial-space distance, or external- or internal-rotation ROM. Swimmers presented with less horizontal-adduction ROM than nonoverhead athletes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Factors other than swimming participation, such as school and technology use, play important roles in the adaptation of physical characteristics in adolescents. Adolescents, regardless of swimming participation, presented with postural deviations. It is important to consider factors other than swimming participation that contribute to alterations in physical characteristics to understand injury risk and injury-prevention strategies in competitive adolescent swimmers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa;
authors.forename: Elizabeth E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Hibberd
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Recreation, Illinois State University, Normal;
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laudner
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Berkoff
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, and.
authors.forename: Kristen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kucera
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, and.
authors.forename: Joseph B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004550:Elbow / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology
keywords: posture; range of motion; subacromial space