Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2025
Measuring 3D In-vivo Shoulder Kinematics using Biplanar Videoradiography
Published on: March 12, 2021
Investigating the relationship between physical activity and self-reported outcomes in adults with rotator cuff
Baithat O Adeyinka1, Anthony A Gatti2, Jaclyn N Chopp-Hurley1
1School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Purpose:
Rotator cuff related shoulder pain is common among older adults. While exercise is often recommended for this condition, the relationship between physical activity levels and self-reported outcomes is unclear. This study investigated whether self-reported outcomes (pain, function, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, general mental and physical health) relate to physical activity, and whether those who participated in shoulder-specific exercise had better self-reported outcomes than those who performed whole-body exercise.
Methods:
Forty-six participants with rotator cuff related shoulder pain participated from which 35 had complete datasets. Questionnaires were used to assess physical activity, pain, physical function, general health, and self-efficacy. Physical activity levels were also measured using an accelerometer.
Results:
Neither pain nor other self-reported outcomes were related to subjective or objective physical activity levels. Participants that completed shoulder-specific exercise had significantly higher exercise self-efficacy than those who completed nonspecific exercise (P = .01; d = 0.91).
Conclusion:
A significant relationship between pain or self-reported outcomes and physical activity was not identified. Those who self-reported regularly exercising their injured shoulder had higher exercise self-efficacy than those who did not. These findings have clinical implications, suggesting that strategies to boost exercise self-efficacy may be important for older adults with rotator cuff related shoulder pain.
