Acute effects of static-stretching on the shoulder joint-position sense: A randomized controlled crossover trial

Joana Azevedo; Joana Sousa; Isabel Moreira-Silva; Ricardo Cardoso; Adérito Seixas

doi:10.62741/ahrj.v1i2.16

Authors

Joana Azevedo FP-I3ID, FP-BHS, Escola Superior de Saúde Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3616-8679
Joana Sousa FP-I3ID, FP-BHS, Escola Superior de Saúde Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0902-2681
Isabel Moreira-Silva FP-I3ID, FP-BHS, Escola Superior de Saúde Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal; Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto (FADEUP) and Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4137-7694
Ricardo Cardoso FP-I3ID, FP-BHS, Escola Superior de Saúde Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal; Transdisciplinary Center of Consciousness Studies of Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0937-2113
Adérito Seixas FP-I3ID, FP-BHS, Escola Superior de Saúde Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal; LABIOMEP, INEGI-LAETA, Faculdade de Desporto, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6563-8246

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62741/ahrj.v1i2.16

Abstract

Introduction: The influence of static-stretching on variables like shoulder muscle strength has been addressed in different sports. However, its effect on the joint-position sense is poorly investigated.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of static-stretching on the shoulder-joint position sense of overhead athletes.

Methodology: A three-period block-randomized controlled crossover trial was conducted from December 2023 to February 2024 at a rehabilitation and health research laboratory with 17 competitive overhead athletes (9 males and 8 females), aged between 18 and 30 years, with normal range of motion of shoulder flexion. Excluded were those with history of shoulder injury in the last 6 months, and with positive shoulder integrity tests. In random order, all participants performed 3 conditions: control (5-minute rest), and a 30s or 90s static-stretching of muscles around the shoulder. Before and immediately after these conditions, position sense was tested through active repositioning to 110º of flexion, with a video camera, and described as absolute, relative and variable angular errors.

Results: A significant increase was only found in the absolute angular errors of the static-stretching of 30s condition between the initial assessment and after the static-stretching (p=0.015). However, no differences between conditions were found (p=0.874).

Conclusion: Results suggest that static-stretching may have acute effects on the shoulder joint-position sense, appearing to be harmful when performed for 30s, but innocuous when performed for 90s.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID - NCT06226974