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Shoulder Pain Biomechanics, Rehabilitation and Prevention in Wheelchair Basketball Players: A Narrative Review

Authors :
Giacomo Farì
Francesca Latino
Francesco Tafuri
Laura Dell’Anna
Maria Vittoria Raele
Annatonia Fai
Carlo De Serio
Giorgia Intonti
Anna Lisa De Salvo
Vincenzo Ricci
Emma Saraiello
Valerio Bonavolontà
Andrea Bernetti
Silvia Fiore
Marisa Megna
Maurizio Ranieri
Source :
Biomechanics, Vol 3, Iss 3, Pp 362-376 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Wheelchair basketball (WB) is an increasingly popular sport that guarantees numerous health benefits for people with disabilities who regularly practice it, such as an improved quality of life and psychophysical well-being. However, WB is a contact and high-stress sport, which exposes players to frequent overloads and injuries, mainly affecting the upper limbs. Therefore, shoulder pain (SP) is the most common musculoskeletal disorder among WB players, forcing them to suspend or abandon this sport activity. This narrative review aims to summarize all the known literature on this topic and to be a starting point for further research. Firstly, it explores the biomechanical causes that lead to SP and the underlying diseases, among which the most recurrent are rotator cuff tendinopathies. Furthermore, this overview deepens the most effective and specific rehabilitation programs for SP in WB players and it emphasizes the need for further studies to trial new rehabilitative protocols using novel technologies to make them faster and more personalized. In this regard, the general recommendation still remains to perform a combination of exercises such as strengthening, endurance and stretching exercises of various durations and intensities. To conclude, the most important prevention strategies are described, underlining the need for constant sport-specific training led by qualified personnel and suggesting some insights on possible new research aimed at improving wheelchair ergonomics, stressing the importance of a multidisciplinary team fully dedicated to the individual athlete.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
26737078
Volume :
3
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Biomechanics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.457ff36e38e64a48b6a7f133308c6f47
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics3030030