Scapular dyskinesis (altered scapular kinematics) as a subclinical movement impairment of the shoulder complex in healthy, asymptomatic sports science students. No disease or pathological condition is investigated. The study examines the functional relevance of scapular dyskinesis as a potential movement control deficit in a non-clinical population.
Conditions
Interventions
Group 1: Physically active university students (aged 18–35) undergo a single-session assessment comprising the Scapular Dyskinesis Test (SDT
McClure et al., 2009
bilateral weighted shoulder flexion and abduction, 5 repetitions, blinded video rating) and the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST
individualised hand spacing at 50% of body height, 3 test trials of 15 seconds each), supplemented by a brief questionnaire (demographics, sports biography, QuickDASH, NRS pain 0–10). Participants wit
self-reported pain status (never / previous / currently present) is recorded as an exploratory moderator variable. The association between scapular dyskinesis severity, based on the SDT rating (normal
Sponsors
IU Internationale Hochschule
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Sports science students at a German university Age 18–35 years Regular sports activity at the time of data collection Ability to fully perform all test movements (flexion/abduction with additional load, CKCUEST push-up position) Pain intensity = 7/10 on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) on the test day Written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Confirmed rotator cuff or labral lesion Shoulder dislocation, fracture (humerus, scapula, clavicle) or shoulder surgery 50% loss of passive external rotation plus at least one additional plane) Visually apparent thoracic scoliosis or pronounced spinal malalignment Peripheral nerve lesion (n. thoracicus longus, n. dorsalis scapulae) Neurological or systemic musculoskeletal disorders (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) Cervically provoked shoulder pain BMI > 30 kg/m² Acute febrile illness on the test day Resting blood pressure > 160/100 mmHg or resting heart rate > 100 bpm on the test day
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Primary endpoint: Relationship between scapular dyskinesis status and functional shoulder performance; Data collected once at time point T1 (cross-sectional survey) using: SDT (Scapular Dyskinesis Test according to McClure et al., 2009): visual-observation-based classification of scapulothoracic movement into three categories (normal, subtle dyskinesis, obvious dyskinesis), bilateral weighted shoulder flexion and abduction, blinded video analysis CKCUEST (Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test according to Goldbeck & Davies, 2000): number of touches in 15 seconds (mean of 3 scoring runs), individualized hand distance (50% of body height according to Callaway et al., 2020) | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Secondary endpoint 1: Prevalence of scapular dyskinesis stratified by sport category (overhead vs. non-overhead); collected once at time point T1 using SDT and a sports biography questionnaire (developed in-house). Secondary Endpoint 2: Correlation between SDT severity (normal, subtle, obvious) and CKCUEST performance (touches/15 s); assessed once at time point T1 using SDT and CKCUEST. Exploratory Endpoint: Moderating effect of pain status on the relationship between SDT and CKCUEST; assessed once at time point T1 using VAS (Visual Analog Scale, 0–10) and QuickDASH (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, 11-item short version). | — |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Public ContactStefanie Pietsch
Universität Regensburg
Outcome results
None listed