Effects of Dynamic Cupping on Shoulder Active Range of Motion of Senior Male Handball Athletes

Immediate Effects of Dynamic Cupping on Shoulder Active Range of Motion of Senior Male Handball Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to to verify the immediate effects of dynamic cupping on shoulder active range of motion (AROM) of senior male handball athletes.

After completing the questionnaire, 80 senior male handball athletes will be randomly divided into two designated groups, Intervention Group (IG; n = 40) (dynamic cupping therapy) and Control Group (CG; n = 40) (no intervention).

Shoulder AROM (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, horizontal adduction, horizontal abduction, internal rotation and external rotation movements) will be assessed in both control and intervention groups before (M0) and after (M1) intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy senior handball athletes in competition with at least three training sessions per week.

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of injury, fracture or surgical intervention in the upper limb in the last six months before the study;
• vestibular, neurological or cardiorespiratory diseases;
• reported pain in the upper limb or spine
• presence of contraindication for cupping (deep venous thrombosis, with active infection or open wound.