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Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Measuring 3D In-vivo Shoulder Kinematics using Biplanar Videoradiography
Published on: March 12, 2021
Shoulder characteristics in para athletes: A comparative analysis of range of motion, posture, and muscle function
G J B Sanchis1, R A Resende2, P F F Martins3
1Centro de Treinamento Esportivo da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Comitê Paralímpico Brasileiro, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; University of Valencia, Spain.
Introduction:
The pre-existing health conditions, and the specific demands of sports modality influence the physical functions of para athletes. In overhead sports, musculoskeletal alterations are commonly observed in the shoulder joint. The aim of this study to characterize the total shoulder range of motion (ROM), posture, and muscle function in para athletes (swimming, powerlifting, and throwing) and compare the modalities and types of impairments.
Material And Methods:
Thirty-one para athletes participated. Assessments measured total shoulder ROM, posture, and isometric muscle strength. Data distribution was checked using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Differences between groups (sport and impairment) were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, with Bonferroni post hoc tests identifying specific differences, and the effect size was calculated.
Results:
This study included 31 para athletes. Swimmers showed the lowest bilateral ROM (@p<0.01) with a high effect size, and powerlifters demonstrated higher values in the posture bilaterally (p<0.01), when compared to swimmers, with a high effect size. No statistical differences were found in muscle function across sports or types of impairments.
Conclusion:
Powerlifting para athletes exhibited greater shoulder postural alterations than swimmers bilaterally. Swimmers demonstrated lower total shoulder ROM than other groups. The findings underscore the need for personalized assessments in para athletes.
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