AAU Student Projects - visit Aalborg University's student projects portal
A master's thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


The effects of fatigue on scapulothoracic kinematics during total shoulder abduction.

Authors

;

Term

4. semester

Publication year

2016

Pages

39

Abstract

Introduktion: Træthed i skuldermuskler kan ændre, hvordan skulderbladet og overarmen bevæger sig under armopsving. Sådanne ændringer kan være medvirkende til ubehag og smerter i skulder og nakke. Denne studie undersøgte, hvordan muskelfatigue påvirker 3-dimensionel skulderbladskinematik under armopsving ved brug af Qualisys bevægelsesregistreringssystem. Kinematiske ændringer som opadrotation, foroverkipning (anterior tilt) og opad forskydning af overarmsknoglen mistænkes for at kunne reducere det subakromiale rum (området under acromion, hvor sener passerer) og dermed bidrage til skuldersmerter. Metode: Ni raske deltagere medvirkede; anvendelige data blev indsamlet fra seks, som gennemførte fem gentagelser af løft og sænkning af armen i skulderbladets plan (scapular plane) før og efter en træthedsprotokol. Lokal muskelfatigue blev vurderet som et fald i maksimal frivillig isometrisk kontraktionskraft, målt på en kraftplade mens deltagerne pressede mod en gulvfastgjort rem. Qualisys-systemet registrerede realtids 3D-bevægelser under armopsvingene. Resultater: Kraften faldt signifikant efter protokollen, hvilket bekræftede lokal muskelfatigue. Træthed påvirkede både scapulothoracisk (skulderblad–brystkasse) og glenohumeral (skulderled) kinematik. Efter træthed sås øget foroverkipning af skulderbladet med en gennemsnitlig stigning på 4,13° og en maksimal stigning på 7,73°; selv om ændringen i grader var lille, svarede den til næsten 45% ændring i rotation. I den tidlige fase af armopsvinget øgedes også overarmens indadrotation, fleksion og abduktion. Konklusion: En skulder-træthedsprotokol medførte små, men potentielt klinisk betydningsfulde ændringer i skulderbladets og overarmens bevægelser under armopsving, herunder øget foroverkipning af skulderbladet.

Introduction: Shoulder muscle fatigue can change how the shoulder blade (scapula) and upper arm move during arm elevation. Such changes may contribute to shoulder and neck discomfort. This study examined how fatigue influences 3D scapular kinematics during arm elevation using the Qualisys motion capture system. Kinematic patterns such as upward rotation, increased anterior tilt, and upward displacement of the humerus are suspected to reduce the subacromial space (the area under the acromion where tendons pass) and contribute to shoulder pain. Methods: Nine healthy participants took part; usable data were obtained from six who completed five repetitions of raising and lowering the arm in the scapular plane (a natural angle of elevation) before and after a fatigue protocol. Local muscle fatigue was assessed as a drop in maximum voluntary isometric contraction force, measured on a force plate while participants pushed against a floor-anchored strap. A Qualisys system recorded real-time 3D motion during the arm elevations. Results: Force significantly decreased after the protocol, confirming local muscle fatigue. Fatigue affected both scapulothoracic (shoulder blade–ribcage) and glenohumeral (shoulder joint) kinematics. After fatigue, the scapula showed increased anterior tilt, with a mean rise of 4.13° and a maximum of 7.73°; although small in degrees, this represented nearly a 45% change in rotation. In the early phase of arm elevation, humeral internal rotation, flexion, and abduction also increased. Conclusion: A shoulder fatigue protocol led to small but potentially clinically meaningful changes in shoulder blade and upper-arm motion during arm elevation, including increased anterior tilt of the scapula.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]