Shoulder Isokinetic Strength Balance Ratio in Overhead Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Valentine Zimermann Vargas, Caroline Motta, Rodrigo Luiz Vancini and 2 others
PMID 34123534WHAT IT FOUND
Shoulder strength balance ratios differ by sport and sex, so grouping all overhead athletes together is inaccurate.
Female softball players had higher conventional ratios, while judo, handball, and tennis players had lower functional ratios than controls.
Key findings
01Female softball athletes had significantly higher conventional strength balance ratios than female judo, volleyball, and swimming athletes.
02Male judo, handball, and tennis athletes had significantly lower functional strength balance ratios than controls and several other overhead sports.
03Female judo and handball athletes had significantly lower functional strength balance ratios than the control group and other overhead sports.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study did not assess strength at multiple isokinetic speeds, limiting comparisons with other literature that used different speeds. The sample consisted of regional-level athletes, so findings may not generalize to elite or recreational athletes. The cross-sectional design cannot determine if the observed strength imbalances cause injury or are merely adaptations to sport-specific demands. There were significant differences in age, body mass, and height between groups, which may influence strength values.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these strength imbalances as evidence of pathology or injury risk. The study reports cross-sectional adaptations to sport-specific movements, not longitudinal outcomes, so a low functional ratio does not necessarily mean an athlete is injured or will become injured.