Title

Flexible foil exercise and shoulder internal and external rotation strength

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

7-1-2006

Abstract

Context: The efficacy of exercise using a flexible foil to increase strength in the shoulder rotator muscles is unknown. Objective: To compare the effects of exercises using a flexible foil (Bodyblade) with exercises using elastic bands on shoulder internal and external rotator muscle strength. Design: We used a randomized, controlled pretest-posttest design. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Forty young adults with no previous shoulder injury. Intervention(s): Experimental subjects participated in an 8-week program of internal and external rotation exercises consisting of 3 sessions per week. Main Outcome Measure(s): Strength was tested by internal and external rotation isometric and isokinetic strength tests at 60°·s-1 and 120°·s-1. Results: The group exercising with elastic bands had a greater pretest-posttest increase in maximal internal rotation isometric torque at 10° of internal rotation and greater maximal external rotation isometric torque at 65° of external rotation than the control group. The group using a flexible foil did not show an increase in strength significantly different from either the control or elastic band groups. We found no other statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Our results do not support the use of a flexible foil for strength gains in shoulder internal and external rotation in the asymptomatic young adult population. © by the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Inc.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Athletic Training

Volume

41

Issue

3

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