Shoulder and trunk movement and muscle activity during the tennis serve in players with shoulder pain
Kinematics and Muscle Activity During the Tennis Serve and Musculoskeletal Characteristics in Tennis Players With Subacromial Pain Syndrome or History of Shoulder Pain
This study tests whether shoulder and trunk movements and shoulder muscle activity during the tennis serve differ between amateur tennis players with subacromial pain syndrome or a history of shoulder pain and those without pain.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Taipei) |
| Trial ID | NCT07543484 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study will recruit about 60 amateur tennis players who train at least 4 hours per week and have an NTRP level of 3.5 or higher. Participants will undergo motion-capture and surface electromyography (EMG) while performing tennis serves to measure shoulder and trunk kinematics and shoulder muscle activation, together with clinical musculoskeletal measurements. Players with subacromial pain syndrome or a history of shoulder pain will be compared to players without such pain to identify movement or activation patterns linked to pain. Exclusion criteria include prior shoulder surgery, recent major trauma, or any current injury that prevents full-skill serving.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are amateur tennis players (NTRP ≥ 3.5) with ≥ 3 years of playing experience, current or former school team members, training ≥ 4 hours per week, with or without shoulder pain.
Not a fit: Players with prior shoulder surgery, recent major trauma, or current musculoskeletal injuries that prevent executing a full serve are not eligible and are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help coaches and clinicians design better training and rehabilitation to reduce shoulder pain and lower the risk of future shoulder injuries in tennis players.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior work has examined shoulder kinematics and EMG in overhead athletes, but few studies have specifically examined the tennis serve or players with subacromial pain syndrome, so this approach is only partially explored.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Amateur tennis players * National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) should level ≥ 3.5 * Training experience: ≥ 3 years, current or former school team players * Training volume: ≥ 4 hours/week Exclusion Criteria: * Any current musculoskeletal injuries preventing maximum skill execution at the time of testing * Previously had any form of surgery or trauma * Patient-reported pain that will inhibit participation in this study
Where this trial is running
Taipei
- No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong St. Beitou Dist., Taipei City 112304, Taiwan — Taipei, Taiwan (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.