Drexel University
College of Nursing & Health Professions
1505 Race Street Ms 501 Philadelphia, PA 19102
S H O U L D E R
D Y S F U N C T I I O N
Investigators
David Ebaugh, PT, PhD – Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Drexel University
Bryan Spinelli, PT, MS, OCS, CLT – PhD Student Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Drexel
University
Summary / Overview
Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is a significant cause of shoulder pain in overhead athletes.
Current evidence suggests that impaired shoulder girdle tissue flexibility and muscle performance, altered shoulder resting alignment, and repetitive arm motion-induced fatigue contribute to the development of this syndrome. Although evidence exists to support an association between shoulder
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Drexel University
College of Nursing & Health Professions
1505 Race Street Ms 501 Philadelphia, PA 19102 alignment, repetitive arm motion, and SIS, the mechanisms underlying these associations are not well understood. Potential mechanisms that may explain these relationships include reduced blood flow to muscles and tendons, microtrauma and resultant tissue injury, and abnormal shoulder girdle motion patterns. The focus of this study is to address the latter mechanism by: 1) determining the relationships between pectoralis minor muscle length, trapezius muscle performance, and shoulder alignment in overhead athletes who present with and without a depressed and forward shoulder
(DAFS), 2) determining three-dimensional (3-D) scapulothoracic (ST) motion patterns in overhead athletes with and without a DAFS, and 3) determining the effects of resting shoulder alignment and repetitive arm motion-induced fatigue on 3-D ST motion in overhead athletes with and without a
DAFS. The results of this study will help to elucidate potential mechanisms underlying overuse rotator cuff disease. This information will provide health care professionals with a foundation for developing scientifically based examination, intervention, and prevention techniques designed to restore the ability to participate in physical activities.
Participating Sites
Drexel University Physical Therapy Services
Physiotherapy Associates, West Chester, PA
Articles
Ebaugh, DD, McClure, PW, Karduna AR. Effects of Shoulder Muscle Fatigue caused by Repetitive
Overhead Activities on Scapulothoracic and Glenohumeral Kinematics. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology , 16, 224-235, 2006.
Ebaugh, DD, McClure, PW, Karduna AR. Effects of Shoulder Muscle Fatigue caused by Repetitive
External Rotation Activities on Scapulothoracic and Glenohumeral Kinematics. Journal of
Orthopaedics and Sports Physical Therapy , 36, 8:557-571, 2006.
Presentations
Oravitz, M, Spinelli, B, Ebaugh, D. Reliability of a New Measure of Forward Shoulder Posture: A Pilot
Study. Journal of Orthopaedics and Sports Physical Therapy, 2008, 38(1): A57.
Sakaitis, C, Ebaugh, D. A Comparison of Three Dimensional Scapulothoracic Motion and EMG
Activity in Individuals with Normal and Abnormal Scapulothoracic Motion. Journal of Orthopaedics and Sports Physical Therapy, 2005, 35(1): A42.
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Drexel University
College of Nursing & Health Professions
1505 Race Street Ms 501 Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contact us
If you are interested in learning more about current shoulder studies being conducted through the
Rehabilitation Sciences Shoulder Research Lab at Drexel University, please contact Dr. David
Ebaugh at 215.762.1957 or debaugh@drexel.edu
.
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