Clinical Usefulness of Shoulder Stability Exercises for Middle-aged Women

[Purpose] This study examined the clinical usefulness of shoulder stability exercises and the effect of stability exercise on the shoulder pain of middle-aged women. [Subjects] Twenty-two middle-aged female subjects were randomly divided into two groups: a shoulder stability exercise group (Experimental group, n=11) and a control group (n=11). [Methods] Subjects in the experimental group performed a shoulder stability exercise, which was designed to correct abnormal location of the scapula, for 40 minutes per day, three times per week, over a period of four weeks. Range of motion, muscle strength, and grasping power were measured to determine the effect of the shoulder stability exercise. The measured parameters were evaluated before and after four weeks of exercise. [Results] Following intervention, range of motion, muscle strength, and grasping power showed greater improvements in the experimental group than in the control group. [Conclusion] The results of this study show that shoulder stability exercise can improve the shoulder function of middle-aged women, and prevent damage to the shoulder joint. We consider this exercise would be useful in clinical rehabilitation.