Sport Specific Adaptions in Female Volleyball Players

The shoulder joint is the second most affected body part of all overuse injuries in overhead athletes. Due to the repetitive throwing motion overhead athletes show the following characteristic adaptations of their dominant shoulder: Loss of internal rotation (IR) and gain of external rotation (ER), reduced muscle strength of the shoulder external rotators and scapular dyskinesis. On the one hand these adaptations are normal and necessary for a powerful throwing performance. On the other hand the amount of adaptation seems to play a crucial role in developing overuse symptoms and therefore becoming a risk factor. Most previous studies investigating throwing specific adaptations and risk factors focused on overhead sports like baseball, handball or tennis, whereas similar research in volleyball is still insufficient. Therefore the aim of this study is to evaluate if sport specific adaptations are present in female volleyball players and if yes, if there is a difference of the extent of these adaptations in volleyball players with overuse symptoms and players without.