Stretching the Posterior Capsule of the Shoulder in the Stability and the Throwing Performance in Handball Players

Efficacy of a Physiotherapy Intervention by Stretching the Posterior Capsule of the Shoulder in the Stability of the Glenohumeral Joint and the Throwing Performance in Handball Players. A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Handball is a sport with a high prevalence of shoulder injuries due to the overuse that causes a glenohumeral internal rotation deficit, and excess of external rotation and scapular dyskinesia. Stretching is essential to restore physiological movement and improve strength.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of a posterior capsule stretching and strengthening of the shoulder and scapular program in handball players from 18 to 37 years old.

Study design: randomized clinical trial, multicenter, single-blind with follow-up period.

Methods: 60 handball players will be randomly assigned to the two study groups (experimental and control). The intervention will last 4 weeks, with 3 weekly sessions with a duration of 21 and 12 minutes each. The study variables will be: range of motion in internal and external rotation (goniometer), throwing speed (Ball Throwing Speed Test), functionality (DASH questionnaire), perceived exertion (Borg scale), glenohumeral stability (CKCUEST y YBT-UQ Test) and the throwing force (Overhead Medicine Ball Throw). The intervention will consist in the application of stretching of the posterior shoulder capsule with an exercise protocol. A Kolmogorov-Smirnov analysis will calculate the normality of the distribution. In case of homogeneity of the groups, with the t-student test of repeated measurements and an ANOVA of repeated averages, the difference between the different evaluations and the intra- and inter-subject effect will be calculated.

Expected results: Improved range of motion of the shoulder, strength and throwing speed after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female
• Handball players federated in the Madrid Handball Federation
• With an age range between 18 and 37 years
• More than 2 years of handball sports
• Currently participate in amateur competitions of First National Women's category.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have suffered a shoulder injury in the last six months
• Who are currently doing some physiotherapy treatment
• Who fail to participate in the established intervention and evaluation sessions
• Refusing to sign the informed consent document.