Influence of Shoulder Position on Functional Control Ratio During Isokinetic Assessment

One of the possible mechanisms leading to secondary impingement syndrome may be the strength imbalance of shoulder rotators which is known as functional control ratio (FCR). The FCR is a ratio dividing the eccentric peak torque of the external rotators by the concentric peak torque of the internal rotators. Previous studies have focused on the reproducibility and reliability of isokinetic assessment, but there is little information on the influence of variable shoulder positions on FCR.

To compare shoulder FCR across 3 different shoulder abduction positions during isokinetic assessment.

Cross-sectional study.

Biomechanics laboratory.

Thirty-one healthy young university students (age 22.35 [0.95] y, weight 60.52 [9.31] kg, height 168.23 [9.47] cm).

The concentric peak torque of internal rotators and eccentric peak torque of external rotators of right shoulder were measured on an isokinetic dynamometer.

Concentric peak torque of the internal rotators and eccentric peak torque of the external rotators, measured using an isokinetic dynamometer.

The concentric peak torque of internal rotators was significantly lower at 120° shoulder abduction compared with other positions (P < .001). The FCR was significantly higher at 120° shoulder abduction than 90° (P = .002) or 60° (P < .001) shoulder abduction because of the lower concentric peak torque. No significant difference was found in the FCR between the other 2 shoulder positions (P = .14).

Shoulder position variations may influence FCR because of weakness of the internal rotators. Rehabilitation and injury prevention training programs should specifically focus on strengthening the internal rotators at more elevated angles of shoulder abduction.