Factors influencing the Acromio-Humeral distance in elite athletes

Mackenzie, TA; Herrington, LC; Horsley, I

Abstract

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome is prevalent in sportsmen and can end sporting careers. The Acromio-Humeral distance (AHD) is a measure taken with ultrasound (US) and used to quantify the space in which structures in the shoulder become impinged. This space is normally reduced as the arm elevates. Factors identified in the literature that could further reduce this space, are explored in this thesis. Correlation analysis between factors (Scapula rotation in the coronal plane, Pectoralis Minor length, Thoracic kyphosis, Glenohumeral rotation and load) with the AHD was done to confirm or refute some of these associations. To accomplish the research: a) reliability of tools and stability of the measure was established; b) data was collected in elite sportsmen and controls to verify variance in the independent variables; c) correlation analysis between independent variables and the AHD was carried out to determine association. In summary, the results of this thesis demonstrated that factors influencing the Acromio-Humeral distance are multifactorial, including Pectoralis Minor length, Glenohumeral rotation ranges, and load. The strength of the association between variables is population dependant. Scapula rotation in the coronal plane, and Thoracic kyphosis were not found to influence the AHD when modified in isolation.

Citation

Mackenzie, T., Herrington, L., & Horsley, I. (in press). Factors influencing the Acromio-Humeral distance in elite athletes. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Acceptance Date: Mar 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jun 17, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 17, 2016