One of the most challenging aspects of orthopedic sports medicine is the rehabilitation of the overhead athletes. Overhead athletes place a lot of load on the shoulder joint, because of the volume of throws, mechanical stress and repetitive movements above shoulder level. During the game these athletes require high levels of mobility and stability at the same time, and neuromuscular control. Rapid motion, poor biomechanics, and weak links in the kinetic chain put this area in high risk of injury in glenohumeral joint and surrounding soft tissues. As a result, those athletes are exposed of developing shoulder pain, functional impairments, overuse injuries, and deficits in strength and mobility.
Recent rehabilitation programs for shoulder injuries in overhead athletes incorporate exercise-based interventions that integrate core activation, coordinated movement, and sport-specific function.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effect of structured neuromuscular rehabilitation program based on the Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) method and Gyrotonic training on shoulder pain, functional performance, and dynamic stability in overhead athletes with shoulder injuries. The study looked for to determine whether these interventions could lead to significant improvements in the variables at baseline and after the interventions.
Participants meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited and were randomly allocated into one of three study groups. The intervention consisted of a supervised rehabilitation program focused on key components of shoulder function, such as neuromuscular control, strength, mobility, and coordination. The DNS program was focused on exercise based on developmental kinesiology, aimed to improve core stability, breathing patterns, and shoulder stabilization in various functional positions. The Gyrotonic program incorporated three-dimensional, spiral movement patterns aimed to improve mobility, coordination, and integrated upper limb function. The athletes involved in the DNS and Gyrotonic group continued also with their usual sports training. Exercise sessions were performed regularly in both intervention groups for a period of six-weeks. Participants in the control group continued with the usual training regime and did not receive any specific rehabilitation intervention.
Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline and after six weeks of intervention. Pain intensity, functional performance, dynamic stability were the main outcomes that were evaluated before and after the intervention period.
In addition, core endurance, mobility and muscle strength of glenohumeral joint was evaluated as a secondary outcome before and after the rehabilitation program. This study design allows the comparison of changes over time within and between groups in order to identify the most effective approach for improving pain, functional performance and stability in overhead athletes with shoulder injuries.
The findings of this study aim to provide clinically relevant evidence for the rehabilitation of overhead athletes with shoulder injuries.
