• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2023

Background: Posterior capsule tightness (PCT), commonly seen in overhead athletes, is a soft tissue adaptation that is also noted in non-throwers. PCT is associated with scapular and humeral kinematic alterations, significant restriction of shoulder internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM), and significant scapular anterior tilting. Sleeper and cross-body stretches (CBS) are suggested for PCT and IR deficits, and have been modified since introduction. A novel modified sleeper stretch (NMSS) was designed in this study to prevent the risk of anterior translation of the humeral head. Though the effects of posterior shoulder stretching exercise have been widely studies, to the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the effectiveness of posterior shoulder exercises in decreasing scapular anterior tilting. Objects: To compare the immediate effects of two posterior shoulder stretching exercises (NMSS and CBS) on scapular anterior tilting and shoulder IR ROM. Methods: Thirty-two subjects with anteriorly tilted scapula and IR deficits [mean age: 24.3 ± 2.5 years; 15 males and 17 females] participated in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the NMSS or CBS groups. Scapular anterior tilting (at rest and at shoulder 60° active IR) and shoulder IR ROM were measured before and immediately after intervention. Results: Scapular anterior tilting significantly decreased, while the shoulder IR ROM significantly increased in both groups. However, there was no significant group-by-time interaction effect or significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Both stretching exercises were effective in restoring shoulder IR ROM and decreasing scapular anterior tilting.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1821-1828
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• 2009

The purpose of this research was to investigate how the plyometric training and weight training program, applied in the field for exercise performance of throwing players, influenced improvement of athletic abilities, including agility, maximum muscular power, and strength. After implementing plyometric training and weight training to 21 high school throwing players for 10 weeks, we designed the next step. The 21 subjects were divided into two groups - women's group and men's group. All subjects were tested to determine agility using sidestep, burpee test, reaction time, lower body power and strength using standing long jump, standing jump, 30 m running, squats and leg presses. Additionally, isokinetic strength was measured using Cybex isokinetic dynamometer. The results showed that both groups demonstrated improvement in the standing long jump, standing jump and 30 m running after training. Particularly, the women's group indicated better improvement. Second, women's groups showed higher improvement in the sidestep and burpee test. However, in the reaction time test, the men's group indicated better improvement. Third, both groups showed better improvement in squats and leg presses after training. Particularly, the women's group indicated better improvement. Fourth, in the left and right side extension torque and flexion torque at a velocity of $60^{\circ}$/sec, both groups showed better improvement after training. In the left side extension peak torque, the men's group showed higher improvement, but the women's group showed higher improvement in the left side flexion and extension peak torque. Fifth, both groups showed better improvement in bench pressing and back strength after training. Particularly, the women's group indicated higher improvement.