International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences Vol. 12(4), pp. 606 - 624
DOI: 10.13189/saj.2024.120402
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The Effects of Prevention Exercise Programmes for the Prevention of Shoulder Injuries in Overhead Athletes

Paraskevopoulos Eleftherios ^*, Zacharis Alexandros
Department of Physiotherapy, Aegean College, Greece

ABSTRACT

Shoulder injuries impose a burden on overhead athletes, affecting participation and performance. Studies show that shoulder injury rates of overhead athletes have increased overtime. Repetitive overhead motions can alter biomechanics, creating risk factors such as glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD), rotator cuff muscle imbalance and decreased shoulder stability, predisposing athletes to shoulder injuries. Several prevention programmes have been created to counter these effects and protect overhead athletes. Τhe aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of prevention exercise programmes in the prevention and risk factors of shoulder injuries in overhead athletes. The PubMed, PEDro, LILACS and SciELO databases, and the search engine Google Scholar were searched, and eleven randomised control trials (RCTs) were identified for further analysis. The search was based on the PICOS framework and PEDro scale rating, with pre-set inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure quality and reduce bias amongst the chosen studies. The prevention programmes and the results of the eleven studies are discussed thoroughly. The analysis performed for the study's findings, demonstrates promising results, with decreased injury rates, risk, prevalence or incidence or improvement of at least one risk factor observed in ten out of the eleven included RCTs. The limitations of the studies and recommendations are also discussed. The conclusion of this study is that shoulder prevention programmes are effective in ensuring prevention and improving risk factors in overhead athletes.

KEYWORDS
Injury Prevention, Prevention Programmes, Risk Factors, Overhead Athletes, Shoulder

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Paraskevopoulos Eleftherios , Zacharis Alexandros , "The Effects of Prevention Exercise Programmes for the Prevention of Shoulder Injuries in Overhead Athletes," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 606 - 624, 2024. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2024.120402.

(b). APA Format:
Paraskevopoulos Eleftherios , Zacharis Alexandros (2024). The Effects of Prevention Exercise Programmes for the Prevention of Shoulder Injuries in Overhead Athletes. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 12(4), 606 - 624. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2024.120402.