Information about project titled 'Does an effective shoulder injury prevention program affect risk factors in handball? A randomized controlled study'
Does an effective shoulder injury prevention program affect risk factors in handball? A randomized controlled study
| Details about the project - category | Details about the project - value |
|---|---|
| Project status: | Published |
| Project manager: | Hilde Fredriksen |
| Supervisor(s): | Grethe Myklebust, Ann Cools |
| Coworker(s): | Roald Bahr |
Description
Background: Shoulder problems are common in handball, but preventable. However, player compliance remains a challenge, as the program is time consuming.
Aim: To develop a more efficient program, we aimed to assess the effect of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center shoulder injury prevention program on external rotation (ER) strength and internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM), believed to represent key risk factors for injury.
Methods: Four youth handball teams (three female, one male, 57 players, mean age 17.1 yrs) were randomized to an intervention group (28 players) or control group (29 players). The intervention program was conducted three times per week as a part of regular handball warm up for 18 weeks, supervised by physical therapists. The main outcome variable was the between-group difference in ER strength and IR ROM change from baseline to post intervention. Isometric ER strength was measured with a handheld dynamometer and IR ROM with a digital goniometer.
Results: Mean dominant shoulder isometric ER strength increased significantly both in the intervention (10%) and the control group (6%) during the intervention, but there was no significant group by time interaction (group difference: 0.06 N/kg (95% CI: -0.04 to 0.17). IR ROM did not change in either group during the intervention.
Conclusion: The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center shoulder injury prevention program did not affect the risk factors ER strength and IR ROM. The preventive effect of the program must therefore be due to other factors.