Effect of Ten Weeks of Corrective Exercises on Scapular Position and Performance of Elite Wrestlers with Trunk and Shoulder Gridle Deformity

Changes in the natural sapular position in wrestlers can affect the spine and their shoulders alignment and the combination of these changes affects the wrestlers’ performance. However, there is little scientific evidence for the effectiveness of training in the scapular position of these atheletes’ performance. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of 10 weeks of corrective exercises on scapular position and elite wrestlers performance with trunk and shoulder girdle disorders.

The statistical population of the study included the elite male 18-27 year-old wrestlers in Mazandaran province. Totally, 34 wrestlers with  forward  shoulder greater than 55° and increased kyphosis greater than 45° were selected purposefully and divided into two control groups (age: 21.35±3.27 years, height: 1.76±0.87 cm, weight: 78/94±13.00 kg) and exercise group (age: 20.29±2.11 years, height: 1.72±0.80 cm, weight: 71/11±16.70 kg). Increased thoracic kyphosis angle was measured using a flexible ruler and forward shoulders angle was measured via photogrammetry as an indicator of trunk and shoulder girdle disorder. Also, scapular position and wrestling performance were measured using the LSST and YBU-UQ functional test, respectively. The experimental group performed a standard training program for 10 weeks; the control group performed their daily activities. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis and t-test at the significance level of 0.05.

The results showed that the corrective exercise program had a significant effect on the improvement of scapular position in zero degree (p = 0.001), 45 degree (p = 0.001), and 90 degree (p = 0.001) lateral movements, forward shoulder angle (p = 0.001), kyphosis angle (p = 0.001), and performance of wrestlers (p = 0.001).

According to the results of the current study, it seems that targeted corrective exercises can have a positive effect on their performance by improving the position of scapula in wrestlers with trunk and shoulder girdle disorders. Improved scapular position can be effective in improving the performance of wrestlers.