• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.35-40
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• 2010

Stiffness of the posterior deltoid is as a causative factor in the limited range of glenohumeral horizontal adduction and various other shoulder pathologies including shoulder impingement syndrome, frozen shoulder, and humerus anterior glide syndrome. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two techniques (soft tissue massage and cross-body stretch) on increasing the range of horizontal adduction. Thirty-two subjects with a $10^{\circ}$ or greater difference between the right and left sides in horizontal adduction were selected. Sixteen subjects from each group were allocated randomly. Interventions were applied on six occasions for 2 weeks, and the range of horizontal adduction was measured using an inclinometer at pre-and post-intervention. A $2{\times}2$ analysis of variance (intervention${\times}$time) was used to compare the effects of the two techniques. In the soft tissue massage group, the angle of horizontal adduction significantly increased compared with the cross-body stretch group. These findings indicate that the soft tissue massage of the posterior deltoid muscle is a more effective method to increase the flexibility of the glenohumeral horizontal adduction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of cross-body stretching (CBS) and modified cross-body stretching (MCBS) on the range of motion (ROM) of glenohumeral joint (GHJ) in healthy subjects. METHODS: Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: CBS group without stabilization of scapula (n=15) and MCBS group with stabilization of scapula (n=15). We measured horizontal adduction and internal rotation ROM of GHJ in pre- and post-intervention. The data were analyzed using the analyses of covariate (ANCOVA) and least significant difference (LSD) post hoc tests (p=.05). RESULTS: In the post-intervention, the MCBS group had a significantly greater increase in horizontal adduction ROM (mean ${\pm}$ SD, $11.46^{\circ}{\pm}0.83^{\circ}$) compared to the CBS group ($7.81^{\circ}{\pm}0.83^{\circ}$) (p=.007) and a greater increase in internal rotation ROM ($62.27^{\circ}{\pm}0.74^{\circ}$) compared to the CBS group ($59.20^{\circ}{\pm}0.74^{\circ}$) (p=.004). CONCLUSION: A single session application of an MCBS provides immediate more improvements in both horizontal adduction and internal rotation ROM than CBS. These results suggest that application of MCBS with stabilization of scapula may be a more useful to gain ROM of GHJ than CBS without stabilization of scapula.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2023

Background: Posterior capsule tightness (PCT), commonly seen in overhead athletes, is a soft tissue adaptation that is also noted in non-throwers. PCT is associated with scapular and humeral kinematic alterations, significant restriction of shoulder internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM), and significant scapular anterior tilting. Sleeper and cross-body stretches (CBS) are suggested for PCT and IR deficits, and have been modified since introduction. A novel modified sleeper stretch (NMSS) was designed in this study to prevent the risk of anterior translation of the humeral head. Though the effects of posterior shoulder stretching exercise have been widely studies, to the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the effectiveness of posterior shoulder exercises in decreasing scapular anterior tilting. Objects: To compare the immediate effects of two posterior shoulder stretching exercises (NMSS and CBS) on scapular anterior tilting and shoulder IR ROM. Methods: Thirty-two subjects with anteriorly tilted scapula and IR deficits [mean age: 24.3 ± 2.5 years; 15 males and 17 females] participated in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the NMSS or CBS groups. Scapular anterior tilting (at rest and at shoulder 60° active IR) and shoulder IR ROM were measured before and immediately after intervention. Results: Scapular anterior tilting significantly decreased, while the shoulder IR ROM significantly increased in both groups. However, there was no significant group-by-time interaction effect or significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Both stretching exercises were effective in restoring shoulder IR ROM and decreasing scapular anterior tilting.