Comparison of scapular position in elite tennis players with and without shoulder impingement: A case-control study

To maximize the ball velocity in the tennis sever, the shoulder plays a key role in the kinetic chain. But shoulder inefficiency leads to shoulder injuries such as shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). Thus, to verify the scapular movements during the tennis serve could help prevent shoulder injury in tennis players.

This case-control study aimed to verify the scapular movements during flat first serve for elite tennis players with shoulder impingement syndrome compared to those without it.

Eight elite tennis players (4 males and 4 females) with SIS and 8 elite healthy players (4 males and 4 females) performed flat first serves, and the three-dimensional scapular kinematic data was recorded using the Qualisys motion capture system through spherical reflective markers including the acromion marker cluster.

The scapula was more internally rotated (median difference: 10.40∘) in the male players with SIS than in those without it at the maximally externally rotated humerothoracic joint during flat first serve, and female players with SIS (median difference: 7.16∘ and 11.28∘, respectively) had more internally rotated scapula at the maximally externally rotated humerothoracic joint and ball impact.

Increased scapular internal rotation may be something that affects shoulder injuries in the overhead sports, and it may help to prevent and rehabilitate overhead injuries including SIS.