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Biomechanical and Physical Characteristics of Whitewater Kayakers with and without Shoulder Pain

Wassinger, Craig Andrew (2007) Biomechanical and Physical Characteristics of Whitewater Kayakers with and without Shoulder Pain. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Participation in whitewater kayaking is growing faster than any other outdoor recreational pursuit. With increases in participation, an increase in the number of injuries associated with whitewater kayaking may also become apparent. Overuse injuries are the most prevalent type of injury found in whitewater kayakers. Due the large range of motion and forces that occur through the shoulder while kayaking, the most common injury location is the shoulder. Little scientific inquiry has been performed assessing the kinematics of kayaking and the musculoskeletal attributes of these athletes. Sixteen whitewater kayakers with shoulder pain and sixteen whitewater kayakers without shoulder pain participated in this study. Each subject underwent kinematic and electromyographic analysis of the forward kayak stroke. Additionally, participants underwent clinical examination of shoulder injury, clinical assessment of shoulder and torso range of motion, posterior shoulder tightness assessment, isokinetic strength testing at the shoulder, and a scapular kinematic evaluation during a standardized humeral elevation task.The most common type of injury found was related to overuse. Statistical comparisons occurred between the involved and uninvolved limb in the shoulder pain group and between the involved and uninvolved and matching shoulders in the control group, respectively. Significant differences were found between in involved and uninvolved shoulder for shoulder internal rotation and abduction range of motion. Additional differences were found for these variables between the involved shoulder in the pain group and the matching shoulder in the control group. Kayakers with shoulder pain present with decreased shoulder range of motion on their involved shoulder. Assessment of the specific types of injuries seen in whitewater kayakers should be further evaluated. Additionally, the role of increasing range of motion through injury prevention programs in whitewater kayakers with shoulder pain should be investigated.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Wassinger, Craig Andrewcaw2@pitt.eduCAW2
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairMyers, Joseph B.myersjb@upmc.edu
Committee MemberRubinstein, Elaineenr@pitt.eduENR
Committee MemberLephart, Scott M.lephartsm@upmc.edu
Committee MemberSell, Timothy C.selltc@upmc.edu
Date: 19 September 2007
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 8 March 2007
Approval Date: 19 September 2007
Submission Date: 15 June 2007
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Rehabilitation Science
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Kayak; Scapular Kinematics; Shoulder
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-06152007-172314/, etd-06152007-172314
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 19:47
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 13:44
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8114

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