The Effectiveness of an Exercise Program on Scapulohumeral Rhythm, Range of Motion, and Shoulder Girdle Stability in Young Female Handball Players
The Effectiveness of an Exercise Program on Scapulohumeral Rhythm, Range of Motion, and Shoulder Girdle Stability in Young Female Handball Players
This record describes a planned randomized parallel-group trial of a modified Watson-based shoulder exercise program in female handball players. An internal pilot phase was conducted first to evaluate feasibility and obtain preliminary estimates to inform the definitive trial.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a structured shoulder girdle exercise programme on stability, range of motion (ROM) and motor control in female handball players. The study will be conducted over a period of 8 weeks and will involve 60 participants aged 17-30 years recruited from professional handball clubs. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which will follow a modified version of the Watson programme, or the control group, which will continue with their standard training programme. Aims: - To compare the effects of the upper scapular rotation-oriented exercise intervention with a standardised upper extremity exercise programme. - Scapulohumeral rhythm assessment: To assess scapulohumeral rhythm at different angles of shoulder flexion (30°, 60°, 90° and 120°) in young female handball players, with a focus on identifying potential asymmetries between the dominant and non-dominant limbs. - Analysis of scapular kinematics: To measure scapular upward rotation, anterior/posterior tilt and medial/lateral translation at different degrees of shoulder flexion to identify movement patterns associated with scapular dyskinesis. - Functional stability analysis: To assess upper extremity functional stability using the Y-Balance Upper Quarter Test (YBT-UQ) and the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test pre- and post-exercise to identify potential correlations between stability improvements and changes in scapular rhythm and muscle activation. - Isometric strength measurement: To evaluate isometric strength in shoulder abduction, internal rotation and external rotation using the Lafayette HHD handheld dynamometer to assess the impact of the intervention on shoulder muscle performance.
An internal pilot phase of this registered study was conducted between March and September 2025 to assess feasibility, retention, adherence, safety, and preliminary variability of outcome measures before progression to the full trial. Seventeen participants were enrolled and 14 completed post-intervention assessment. Findings from this pilot phase are being reported separately in a manuscript focused on feasibility and preliminary effect estimation. The definitive randomized trial remains planned contingent on feasibility findings and available resources.
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