Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Point in Overhead Athletes After Upper Trapezius Muscle Fatigue

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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).

Official Title
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Scapular Kinematic and Shoulder Muscle Activity Alterations in Overhead Athletes With/Without Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Point After Muscle Fatigue

Conditions
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain, Fatigue

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Upper trapezius muscle fatigue


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18-50 years old active overhead athletes No symptoms in the shoulder of dominant side in the past 6 months Regularly perform overhead sports activity ≥ 3 hr/wk for more than 6 months Exclusion Criteria: History of major shoulder/cervical injury or surgery in the past 6 months Experiencing shoulder pain, or participating in rehabilitation for shoulder pain in the past 6 months before the study

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional 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


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: MTrP group<br>Healthy overhead athletes with upper trapezius myofascial trigger point | Behavioral: Upper trapezius muscle fatigue<br>* Isometric contraction of scapular elevation<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Control group<br>Healthy overhead athletes without upper trapezius myofascial trigger point | Behavioral: Upper trapezius muscle fatigue<br>* Isometric contraction of scapular elevation<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Scapular kinematics | Change of scapular kinematics immediately after fatigue task | 10 minutes | 
| Scapular muscles electromyography | Change of scapular muscles electromyography immediately after fatigue task | 10 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Upper trapezius, Myofascial Trigger Point, Muscle fatigue, Overhead athlete