Unstable vs. Stable Shoulder Press in Overhead Athletes with Shoulder Pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study compares scapular motion and muscle activity during shoulder pressing under stable and unstable load conditions in overhead athletes with subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) and in healthy controls. Participants are amateur/recreational overhead athletes aged 18-40 with substantial overhead sport participation. The protocol uses a 15-repetition maximum load threshold to classify stable and unstable conditions, and assesses clinical criteria for SAPS, including pain levels during pressing. Lead efforts involve a single-site collaboration at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taipei, with data on kinematics and muscle activation collected during pressing tasks.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

The inclusion criteria for both the experimental and control groups were as follows: (1) amateur or recreational overhead athletes aged 18-40 years (e.g., volleyball, tennis, baseball); (2) sport participation history of more than 3 years; (3) weekly overhead sport participation of more than 4 hours; (4) ability to meet the minimum loading requirements of the equipment for both stable and unstable conditions, defined as a 15-repetition maximum (15RM) for stable shoulder press of ≥10 kg and unstable shoulder press of ≥8 kg.

The individual inclusion criteria for the experimental group were: (1) diagnosis of subacromial pain syndrome, defined as at least 3 positive findings out of 5 clinical tests (Painful Arc test, Neer impingement test, Empty Can test, Hawkins-Kennedy impingement test, and Resisted External Rotation test); (2) Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of ≤3 during shoulder press performance; (3) symptoms present on the dominant side.

The individual inclusion criteria for the control group were: absence of shoulder pain within the past 6 months, including no pain at the glenohumeral joint, acromioclavicular joint, sternoclavicular joint, scapulothoracic joint, or cervical spine.

The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) history of surgical intervention for fracture or dislocation of the shoulder or elbow joint within the past 6 months; (2) direct trauma to the cervical spine or upper extremity within the past 1 month; (3) shoulder pain or neurological symptoms of cervical origin; (4) any condition preventing the completion of the experimental protocol; (5) bilateral shoulder pain.

Where it's running

• National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
  Taipei, Taiwan Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Yi Chung Tsai, Master
• Email: sc969183@gmail.com
• Phone: (886)972877917

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.