Shoulder mobility in university level rugby players in relation to previous injury

Abstract

Objective: To investigate what effect previous injury to the shoulder has on shoulder mobility in university level ruby players. Method: 18 male rugby players from Cardiff Metropolitan University volunteered to take part in the study. A questionnaire was given to the participants to reveal information regarding any previous injury to their shoulders. An inclinometer was then used to measure the range of motion of the subjects shoulder internal and external rotation. A measuring stick was also used to measure distances in order to get an idea of the shoulders posterior capsule tightness and elevation. Using a two way repeated model ANOVA the data was then analysed with significance set at (p=<.05) value. Results: There were no significant differences in the mobility of all of the shoulder movements tested between the injured and non-injured groups (p=>.05). Conclusion: The results found in this investigation concluded that there was a difference in the mobility of players who had previously injured their shoulder compared to those who had not, however this difference was not statistically significant. These findings may have been due to flaws in the study such as low participant numbers or because the type of injuries and there effect on shoulder mobility were not individually analysed. Because of the non-significant results and the limited literature regarding the issue there is a need for further research