Dominant Verses Non-dominant Shoulder Strength Deficits in Club Rugby Players Post Shoulder Injury

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether there are significant strength differences between the injured dominant shoulder and uninjured non-dominant shoulder of club level rugby union players. Method: 17 male club level rugby union players (mean age 21; range between 20 and 29) volunteered to take part in this study. A Hand-held Dynamometer was used to measure shoulder flexion (SF), shoulder abduction (SA) and shoulder external rotation (SER) peak force for each participant on both their dominant and non-dominant upper limbs. Differences between mean dominant and nondominant shoulder strength values were analysed using a paired T-test with significance at (p=<.05). Results: No significant differences were found between the injured dominant and uninjured non-dominant peak force shoulder measurements. Shoulder flexion (p=.230), shoulder abduction (p=.226) and shoulder external rotation (p=.615) results were all above the (p=<.05) value. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that there is no significant difference between the injured dominant and uninjured non-dominant peak shoulder forces in rugby union players. As results were non-significant, further studies need to be completed to determine whether previous injury has any effect on strength in rugby union, other athletes and non-athletic individuals.