Osteopathic Research Web

The added value of a set of osteopathic techniques in asymptomatic overhead throwing athletes.

Item

Title

The added value of a set of osteopathic techniques in asymptomatic overhead throwing athletes.

Title

The added value of a set of osteopathic techniques in asymptomatic overhead throwing athletes.

Abstract

NAME: Van Loo Marijke TUTOR: Boddaert Kevin METHODOLOGICAL TUTOR: Quaghebeur Jörgen YEAR: 2019
TITLE: The added value of a set of osteopathic techniques in asymptomatic overhead throwing athletes. RESEARCH TITLE: Research as to the added value of a set of osteopathic techniques in asymptomatic overhead athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD): a randomized single blinded controlled clinical study. BACKGROUND: Posterior shoulder tightness is being considered as a common contributor to shoulder impingement in overhead throwing athletes. Literature indicates various techniques to reduce GIRD. Until now the effect of osteopathy remains still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the added value of osteopathy on asymptomatic overhead athletes with GIRD.  METHOD: Fifty two athletes with GIRD = 10° were randomly allocated to the control group (N=26) or osteopathy group (N=26). Both groups participated in a homestretch program during 6 weeks, performing the sleeper stretch and cross-body stretch. The osteopathy group received 2 sessions of a set of osteopathic techniques on top of the stretch program, focussing on the shoulder complex in a bigger picture by working on the cervical and thoracic spine, upper ribs, diaphragm, fascial structures and soft tissue. The control group received 2 manual stretch sessions, performing the exact same stretch exercises as in the homestretch program. ROM was measured at 3 times (PRE, POST 1 for acute effects, POST 2 for long-term effects at 6w) by an investigator, blinded for intervention, using a goniometer application on a smartphone. RESULTS: General linear model analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures showed no significant added value of osteopathy in addition to the stretch program (p > 0,05) for reducing GIRD, compared to the control group. Both groups showed a significant increase in IR and HA ROM (p < 0,001) on the dominant side, at POST 1 and POST 2. However no significant differences between groups was found, there was a slightly beneficial effect on IR ROM of 1,12° at POST 1 and 1,70° at POST 2 in the osteopathy group compared to the control group. DISCUSSION: It this study, it was suggested that athletes who received osteopathy, which targets a larger region than the shoulder complex, would have a better improvement in GIRD than the local stretching. The lack of a significant group effect could have been due to the small amount of osteopathic sessions or the lack of long-term follow up. CONCLUSION: No significantly added value for osteopathy was found on reducing GIRD. More research is necessary to evaluate the added value of osteopathy on symptomatic athletes and the effect on long-term.
 
Keywords: Osteopathy, GIRD, Posterior Shoulder Tightness, Athlete’s Shoulder

Abstract

NAME: Van Loo Marijke TUTOR: Boddaert Kevin METHODOLOGICAL TUTOR: Quaghebeur Jörgen YEAR: 2019
TITLE: The added value of a set of osteopathic techniques in asymptomatic overhead throwing athletes. RESEARCH TITLE: Research as to the added value of a set of osteopathic techniques in asymptomatic overhead athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD): a randomized single blinded controlled clinical study. BACKGROUND: Posterior shoulder tightness is being considered as a common contributor to shoulder impingement in overhead throwing athletes. Literature indicates various techniques to reduce GIRD. Until now the effect of osteopathy remains still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the added value of osteopathy on asymptomatic overhead athletes with GIRD.  METHOD: Fifty two athletes with GIRD = 10° were randomly allocated to the control group (N=26) or osteopathy group (N=26). Both groups participated in a homestretch program during 6 weeks, performing the sleeper stretch and cross-body stretch. The osteopathy group received 2 sessions of a set of osteopathic techniques on top of the stretch program, focussing on the shoulder complex in a bigger picture by working on the cervical and thoracic spine, upper ribs, diaphragm, fascial structures and soft tissue. The control group received 2 manual stretch sessions, performing the exact same stretch exercises as in the homestretch program. ROM was measured at 3 times (PRE, POST 1 for acute effects, POST 2 for long-term effects at 6w) by an investigator, blinded for intervention, using a goniometer application on a smartphone. RESULTS: General linear model analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures showed no significant added value of osteopathy in addition to the stretch program (p > 0,05) for reducing GIRD, compared to the control group. Both groups showed a significant increase in IR and HA ROM (p < 0,001) on the dominant side, at POST 1 and POST 2. However no significant differences between groups was found, there was a slightly beneficial effect on IR ROM of 1,12° at POST 1 and 1,70° at POST 2 in the osteopathy group compared to the control group. DISCUSSION: It this study, it was suggested that athletes who received osteopathy, which targets a larger region than the shoulder complex, would have a better improvement in GIRD than the local stretching. The lack of a significant group effect could have been due to the small amount of osteopathic sessions or the lack of long-term follow up. CONCLUSION: No significantly added value for osteopathy was found on reducing GIRD. More research is necessary to evaluate the added value of osteopathy on symptomatic athletes and the effect on long-term.
 
Keywords: Osteopathy, GIRD, Posterior Shoulder Tightness, Athlete’s Shoulder

presented at

FICO

Date Accepted

2019

Date Submitted

24.7.2019 16:42:52

Type

osteo_thesis

Language

English

Number of pages

113

Submitted by:

4640

Pub-Identifier

16471

Inst-Identifier

1169

Keywords

Osteopathy, GIRD, Posterior Shoulder Tightness, Athletes Shoulder

Recommended

0

Item sets

Thesis

“The added value of a set of osteopathic techniques in asymptomatic overhead throwing athletes.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed April 22, 2025, https://library.wso.at/s/orw/item/1521