The effect of postural restoration exercises on function and isokinetic torque of shoulder external and internal rotator muscles in non-professional athletes with shoulder internal impingement syndrome

Internal Shoulder impingement is one of the most common problems in athletes with postural asymmetry. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of postural restoration exercises on patients' disabilities and the torque of the shoulder rotator muscles.

In this clinical trial study, 23 patients with internal shoulder entrapment were randomly divided into control and intervention groups. A positive Ober's test on the left hip indicated pelvic asymmetry and was considered a criterion for admission. Patients in the intervention group were treated with postural restoration exercises for six weeks. The control group did not receive any intervention. Internal and external rotator muscle torque and shoulder functional disability were measured using the Biodex isokinetic and DASH (Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) questionnaires, respectively. The variables were measured before the intervention, six weeks after the intervention, and four weeks after the completion of the intervention at angular velocities of 60 and 120 o/s at 45o, 70o, and 90o of shoulder abduction. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA with repeated measurements for intergroup comparison.

Findings of the present study showed a significant increase (P=0.000) in the isokinetic torque of the shoulder rotator muscles and also a significant decrease in functional disability (P=0.000) in the intervention group compared to the control group

The results of this study showed that postural restoration exercises in athletes with pelvic asymmetry can improve functional disability and increase shoulder rotational muscle torque