Glenohumeral rotation range deficit in professional rugby players: A cross sectional study

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the internal rotation, external rotation and total range of motion of shoulder in professional rugby players and associated factors. 104 rugby players and 30 healthy volunteers were interrogated and clinically examined. 19.23% of the rugby players were excluded by history of shoulder luxation or surgery. 84 rugby players with 24.28 ± 5.37 years old were finally included in the study. The groups were analyzed with Mann-Whitney test, Fisher's exact test, Linear Regression and a Logistic Regression. It was found that professional rugby players had less internal, external and total range of glenohumeral rotation compared with control group. In the Logistic Regression, the age is a risk factor for external rotation range deficit (Odds Ratio= 1.58). Instead, the years of experience are a protector factor (Odds Ratio= 0.63). We can conclude that glenohumeral rotation range is diminished in professional rugby players and is associated with age and years of experience.