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MEASURING THE ECCENTRIC EXTERNAL ROTATOR STRENGTH IN THE OVERHEAD ATHLETE, USING A HAND HELD DYNAMOMETER: NORMATIVE DATA IN HEALTHY OVERHEAD ATHLETES

Background Recently, a novel reliable and valid protocol has been described for the measurement of eccentric strength of the external rotators of the shoulder, using a Hand Held Dynamometer (HHD). These muscles are prone to weakness in healthy as well as in injured overhead athletes. Objective assessment of muscle strength is imperative in the prevention and rehabilitation of shoulder injuries in the overhead athlete. Objective To provide a normative database of eccentric muscle strength in overhead athletes from several disciplines (tennis, volleyball, swimming, and gymnastics). Design Descriptive laboratory study. Participants 200 healthy overhead athletes, active in different sport disciplines participated in the study. Risk factor assessment Eccentric rotator cuff strength of the external rotators was assessed from a position of 90°–90° abduction/external rotation to 90° abduction in neutral rotation at a speed of 30°/sec, and correlated to isometric rotator cuff muscle strength values in several positions. Results The study will be executed sept-jan 2013, results are to be presented from March 2014. Conclusion This study provides a normative database of eccentric muscle strength data, measured with a HHD. This device is easy to use in a field or training center environment, and therefore valuable in the prevention and rehabilitation of shoulder injuries in the overhead athlete.