Abstract des Autors

The specific repetitive activity of water polo, like pitchers in other sports, emphasizes internal rotation an adduction of the shoulder. This study used the Omnia DOC to evaluate the isokinetic strength of the rotator cuff in elite water polo players. The water polo players are significantly stronger and, of greater importance is the confirmation of imbalances in the rotator cuff force couples of external/internal rotation. The internal rotator muscles are stronger in ratio about 3:1 than external rotator cuff. An imbalance could result in abnormal shoulder mechanics which might lead to injury, particularly in the lax shoulder, enhancing joint subluxation during execution. A remedial program to rebalance this difference might become important to prevent a painful shoulder in the water polo players. For the future, the effect of such a remedial program should be studied in a prospective fashion to determine if the imbalance can be corrected. Verf.-Referat