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Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Measurement of Dynamic Scapular Kinematics Using an Acromion Marker Cluster to Minimize Skin Movement Artifact
Published on: February 10, 2015
Presence of scapular dysfunction in dominant shoulder of professional guitar players
Nidhi A Shah1, Apurv P Shimpi2, Savita A Rairikar2
1a Sancheti Institute for Orthopedics and Rehabilitation , India.
Background:
Playing guitar can cause adoption of asymmetric postures and affect the shoulder's stability.
Objective:
To assess the presence of scapular dysfunction in professional guitar players.
Method:
A lateral scapular slide test was performed at the level of the spine of the scapula and at the inferior angle of the scapula in 20 professional guitar players (age: 18-40 years) and was compared with 20 age-matched non-players at angles of 0°, 45° and 90° of shoulder abduction with both limbs loaded with 0.5-kg weights. Analysis was done by unpaired t test.
Results:
Scapular dysfunction in guitar players was seen in the form of asymmetric scapula at rest in 25% and dyskinetic scapula in 20% of players. 100% of non-players had normal scapular positioning. Comparison at the level of the spine of the scapula showed no significant difference (p > 0.05), but the inferior angle showed a significant difference at 0° (1.37 cm), 45° (1.93 cm) and 90° (2.15 cm) which was more in the player's category (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
There exists a marked dysfunction of scapular stabilizers in professional guitar players at the level of the inferior angle of the scapula.
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