Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Point in Overhead Athletes After Upper Trapezius Muscle Fatigue
Condition: Myofascial Trigger Point Pain; Fatigue
MeSH terms: Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Fatigue
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 3

Summary: 
      The healthy overhead athletes with and without upper trapezius myofascial trigger point will
      be asked to perform a scapular elevation task until the upper trapezius muscle fatigue. The
      first hypothesis is that the subjects with upper trapezius myofascial trigger point will show
      significant difference in scapular kinematics and muscles activities when compared to
      subjects without upper trapezius myofascial trigger point. Besides, the investigators suggest
      that subjects with/without upper trapezius myofascial trigger point will show significant
      difference in scapular kinematics and muscles activities after upper trapezius muscle
      fatigue, especially in subjects with upper trapezius myofascial trigger point.
    

Detailed description: 
      The investigators will recruit healthy overhead athletes with and without upper trapezius
      myofascial trigger point. Participants will be asked to perform a sustained scapular
      elevation task at their peak force until the force decrease 50 %, which indicates upper
      trapezius muscle fatigue. There are two purposes in the current study: (1) to compare the
      differences between overhead athletes with/without upper trapezius myofascial trigger point
      during arm elevation in scapular kinematics and muscles activities (2) to investigate the
      effects of upper trapezius muscle fatigue on scapular kinematics and muscles activities in
      overhead athletes with/without upper trapezius myofascial trigger point. The first hypothesis
      is that the subjects with upper trapezius myofascial trigger point will show significant
      difference in scapular kinematics and muscles activities when compared to subjects without
      upper trapezius myofascial trigger point. Besides, the investigators suggest that subjects
      with/without upper trapezius myofascial trigger point will show significant difference in
      scapular kinematics and muscles activities after upper trapezius muscle fatigue, especially
      in subjects with upper trapezius myofascial trigger point. The outcome measurements includes
      scapular kinematics (upward/downward rotation, external/internal rotation, posterior/anterior
      tilting) and muscles activities (upper trapezius, serratus anterior, lower trapezius).
    

Intervention name(s): Upper trapezius muscle fatigue
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Isometric contraction of scapular elevation
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: The treatment allocation and procedures involved in this randomized study were explained to all participants when they met inclusion criteria of VAS score of 4 or greater on the postoperative first day.
Masking: Triple (Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Upper trapezius; Myofascial Trigger Point; Muscle fatigue; Overhead athlete