Cervical Spine, Manipulation, Spinal, Shoulder, Overhead Athlete
Conditions
Keywords
cervical manipulation, shoulder motion, shoulder strength, overhead athlete
Brief summary
This study will examine the effects of a single session of a quick stretch technique delivered to the neck on neck and shoulder motion as well as shoulder strength in collegiate overhead athletes.
Detailed description
Athletes participating in sports such as baseball, softball, tennis, swimming, and volleyball, are uniquely predisposed to cervical and shoulder dysfunction due to repetitive, high-intensity movements that require coordination between the cervical spine, shoulder, and upper extremities. These repetitive motions involve extreme glenohumeral (GH) range of motion (ROM) as well as high angular velocities, often leading to adaptations such as Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD). Overhead athletes with GIRD are at a higher risk of developing shoulder injuries. This study aims to assess the effects of cervical spinal manipulation on cervical rotation ROM, GH rotational ROM and strength in overhead athletes. The current body of literature suggests an association between cervical rotation ROM deficits and arm injury risk in professional and collegiate-level baseball players. Restrictions in the cervical spine may alter neural and muscular pathways, potentially contributing to decreased shoulder ROM, compromised strength, and impaired performance. Given the complex interplay of cervical spine and shoulder function, understanding how cervical manipulation impacts the kinetic chain can play a vital role in developing shoulder rehabilitation and preventative programs for overhead athletes.
Interventions
Cervical upglide/rotation manipulation targeted to C5/C6 on the dominant shoulder side
Sponsors
Sacred Heart University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Masking description
the researchers performing the pre- and post-intervention measures will be blinded to the results of those measures
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* 18 years old and above * Current overhead college athlete * No mental health considerations such as generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia
Exclusion criteria
* Upper extremity surgery in the last year * Current shoulder pain * Current neck pain * Recent episodes of vertigo, dizziness, and migraines * Recent motor vehicle accident * History of cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, arrhythmias, heart valve disease, congenital heart defects, and aortic aneurysm * Fear or unwillingness to undergo cervical manipulation
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical rotation active range of motion | from baseline to immediately post-intervention | Cervical rotation active ROM will be measured using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device |
| Shoulder Rotational range of motion | from baseline to immediately post-intervention | Dominant shoulder external rotation and internal rotation passive ROM at 90° of shoulder abduction will be measured using a digital inclinometer |
| Shoulder Rotational strength | from baseline to immediately post-intervention | Dominant shoulder external rotation and internal rotation strength will be measured using the Hoggan MicroFET2 handheld dynamometer |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed