Effect of scapular stabilization during horizontal adduction stretching on passive internal rotation and posterior shoulder tightness in young women volleyball athletes: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of scapular stabilization during horizontal adduction stretching (cross-body) on posterior shoulder tightness (PST) and passive internal rotation (IR).

DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with single blinding.

SETTING: Athletic club.

PARTICIPANTS: Asymptomatic volleyball players who are women with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (N=60).

INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomly assigned to either horizontal adduction stretching with manual scapular stabilization (n=30) or horizontal adduction stretching without stabilization (n=30). Passive stretching was performed for 3- to 30-second holds in both groups.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Range of motion measurements of PST and IR were performed on the athlete's dominant shoulder prior to and immediately after the intervention.

RESULTS: Baseline mean angular measurements of PST and IR for all athletes involved in the study were 62°±14° and 40°±10°, respectively, with no significant difference between groups (P=.598 and P=.734, respectively). Mean PST measurements were significantly different between groups after the horizontal adduction stretch, with a mean angle of 83°±17° among the scapular stabilization group and 65°±13° among the nonstabilization group (P<.001). Measurements of IR were also significantly different between groups, with a mean angle of 51°±14° among the scapular stabilization group and 43°±9° among the nonstabilization group (P=.006).

CONCLUSIONS: Horizontal adduction stretches performed with scapular stabilization produced significantly greater improvements in IR and PST than horizontal adduction stretching without scapular stabilization.