Comparison of Shoulder Posture and Scapular Kinematic among Swimmers with and Without Shoulder Pain

Posture impairment can be an integral component of overuse injuries in the sport. The purpose of this study was to compare the shoulder posture and scapular kinematic among swimmers with and without shoulder pain.

Thirty-six swimmers, 18 swimmers without shoulder pain, and 18 swimmers with shoulder pain, with were selected as samples in consultation with an orthopedic specialist. Static and dynamic posture including FH-FSP were measured using a digitized, side-view photograph; pectoralis minor length using a tape measure; scapular anterior tilting index via a ruler; scapular rotation as well as protraction by a DiVeta method.

The results showed that FH and FS angle were significantly greater in the swimmers with shoulder pain than those without shoulder pain. On the other hand, scapular protraction and rotation were not significantly different between the groups. However, pectoralis minor length was significantly shorter in the swimmers with shoulder pain than those without shoulder pain. FS angle and pectoralis minor length were significant predictors for shoulder pain.

The results of our study regarding the role of posture and scapular kinematics in the shoulder pain are inconclusive due to the large number of confounding variables that may have influenced the results. Future studies should be performed to evaluate the effects of these variables.