The Effect of a Shoulder Training Program to Prevent Shoulder Pain Among Girls in Junior Team Handball

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Very little is known about the potential for preventing the prevalence of shoulder complaints in handball players, particularly younger players. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a shoulder training program on shoulder pain during a season of team handball.

Detailed Description
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Six teams, consisting of 13 to 25 players each, were randomized into two groups throughout their competition seasons. Three teams participated in a seven--month, three--times--a--week shoulder--muscle strength--training program while three teams participated in a comparable handball training program but did not conduct any specific upper--body strength training. Effects of this strength--training program were evaluated by comparing pre-- and post--training data from a survey on shoulder complaints based on a self--report questionnaire (quick DASH) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The players completed the VAS on pain once a month. In addition to that the players were tested in a maximum push up test, dynamometer test for internal and external rotation strength in the shoulder and throwing distance in the pre- and posttest.

Official Title
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The Effect of a Shoulder Training Program to Prevent Shoulder Pain Among Girls in Junior Team Handball

Conditions
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Shoulder Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Exercise
* Other: Control group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: - team handball players in the top division in the J16 class in the Trøndelag region in Norway Exclusion Criteria: - previous shoulder operations og fractures in the shoulder region

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 15 Years
Maximum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Training group<br>Six teams, consisting of 13 to 25 players each, were randomized into two groups throughout their competition season; the training Group (intervention Group) and the Control Group.The intervention group completed strength training exercises Three times a week the Whole competition season. | Other: Exercise<br>* Three teams participated in a seven--month, three--times--a--week shoulder--muscle strength--training program while three teams participated in a comparable handball training program but did not conduct any specific upper--body strength training.<br>|
| Other: Control group<br>The three teams in the Control Group trained as normal throughout the season and participated in a comparable handball training program, but did not conduct any specific upper--body strength training | Other: Control group<br>* The three teams in the Control Group trained as normal throughout the season and participated in a comparable handball training program, but did not conduct any specific upper--body strength training<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shoulder pain (Visual Analogue Scale) | Effects of this strength--training program were evaluated by comparing pre-- and post--training data from a survey on shoulder complaints based on a self--report questionnaire (quick DASH) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The players completed the VAS form on shoulder pain in the beginning of the season, then once a month throughout the season, and then in the end of the season. | 7 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shoulder strength | External and internal rotation strength in the shoulder was measured with a handheld dynamometer in the beginning and in the end of the season. | 7 months | 
| Push ups | The Maximum number of push ups the players were able to perform was recorded in the beginning and in the end of the season. | 7 months | 
| Throwing distance | The Maximum throwing distance With a handball was recorded in the beginning and in the end of the season. | 7 months | 
| Shoulder function (Quick DASH) | The quick DASH questionaire was completed in the beginning and in the end of the season. In addition to the VAS and Quick DASH, the players were tested in a maximum push up test, dynamometer test for internal and external rotation strength in the shoulder and throwing distance in the pre- and posttest (see secondary outcome measures). | 7 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Exercise movement techniques