Abstract

TO CORRELATE THE IMPACT OF PECTORALIS MINOR LENGTH ON FORWARD SCAPULA POSITION AND SHOULDER DYSFUNCTION AMONG ELITE SWIMMERS

S. Karthikeyan*, K. Mahar Ali Sha and Dr. P. Senthil Selvam

ABSTRACT

Background: Swimming is an unusual sport in which the shoulder and upper extremity of the swimmers contributes up to 90% of the propulsive power. This activity requires different shoulder motions. The excessive shoulder rotational movements may result in hypertrophy of the anterior musculature. The tightness of these anterior musculature especially pectoralis minor muscle leads to forward scapular position which also causes rounded shoulder and forward head postures which may be a predisposing factor for pain and functional disability among swimmers. Objective: The objective of the study is to analyze the impact of pectoralis minor length changes on forward scapula position and shoulder dysfunction among the elite swimmers. Method: There were 17 swimmers who were selected for this study with reference to the Pectoralis minor index indicating tightness of the muscle. These swimmers were measured for the forward scapula position with double square method using the double square equipment. The outcome measures used were Double square measure, numerical pain rating scale and shoulder pain and disability index. Results: The mean and standard deviation were taken for both right and left side shoulder. The tightness and forward scapula position have been correlated by using Spearman’s Correlation coefficient which gave negative correlation between pectoralis minor tightness and forward scapula position. The correlation coefficient ρ with NPRS shows 0.008 (Correlation Is significant at the 0.01 level) but the SPADI showing 1.000 in which there is no functional disability among the peoples with pectoralis minor tightness. Conclusion: The present pilot study concludes that swimmers who have pectoralis minor tightness shows no correlation with forward scapula position and functional disability among the competitive swimmers.

Keywords: Swimmer’s shoulder, forward scapula position, pectoralis minor.