Student Type

Undergraduate

College Affiliation

College of Science, Technology, and Health

Department

Kinesiology

Submission Type

Poster

Abstract

The Athletic Shoulder (ASH) test was developed to measure force across the shoulder girdle. This test can be used to assess symmetry and potential injury risk in upper-body sports. The purpose was to determine the differences in the supine-to-prone ratio of isometric shoulder force production between male and female swimmers. Forty-five Lindenwood swimmers (F=23, M=22) participated in this cross-sectional study. Athletes performed bilateral isometric shoulder contractions in both the supine and the prone laying position with arms straight and shoulders abducted 135˚ (“Y”). Female simmers had an higher average ratio (76.5%±13.5%) compared to males (68.1%±11.2%) independent of the arm tested. There were no significant difference between the arms independent of gender. This is the first study to ever report isometric ratios from the ASH test. Female swimmers produce force more symmetrically than male swimmers. Future research could examine the relationship between these ratios and performance or injury occurrence.

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Female swimmers exhibit greater isometric force symmetry across the shoulder girdle than male swimmers

The Athletic Shoulder (ASH) test was developed to measure force across the shoulder girdle. This test can be used to assess symmetry and potential injury risk in upper-body sports. The purpose was to determine the differences in the supine-to-prone ratio of isometric shoulder force production between male and female swimmers. Forty-five Lindenwood swimmers (F=23, M=22) participated in this cross-sectional study. Athletes performed bilateral isometric shoulder contractions in both the supine and the prone laying position with arms straight and shoulders abducted 135˚ (“Y”). Female simmers had an higher average ratio (76.5%±13.5%) compared to males (68.1%±11.2%) independent of the arm tested. There were no significant difference between the arms independent of gender. This is the first study to ever report isometric ratios from the ASH test. Female swimmers produce force more symmetrically than male swimmers. Future research could examine the relationship between these ratios and performance or injury occurrence.

 

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