https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8425-984X
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ABSTRACT
The aim was to investigate side-to-side and sex differences of anterior and inferior capsule thickness (ACT, ICT) between the throwing and non-throwing shoulder (TS, NTS) in youth elite handball players. 125 youth female and male elite handball players (14.1±0.7yo) were assessed for ACT and ICT by ultrasound . ACT measurement was performed from anterior (3 o’clock) in upright position and for ICT from inferior (6 o’clock) in supine position. Measurements of ICT in the TS of all athletes (1.4±0.2 mm) differed significantly but marginally to those in the NTS (1.3±0.2 mm) (p = 0.001). Female (1.2±0.2 mm vs. 1.3±0.2 mm; p = 0.007) but not male youth players (1.4±0.2 mm vs. 1.4±0.2 mm, p = n.s.) demonstrated slight differences in ICT in the TS compared with the NTS. Although significant, the thickness in the TS compared to the NTS was within the measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic assessment. No difference in ACT was observed in the TS (1.4±0.3 mm) compared to the NTS (1.4±0.3 mm) for both sexes (n.s.).
In conclusion, the anterior and inferior capsule thickness in youth elite handball athletes is not or only marginally different between throwing and non-throwing shoulders.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank all contributing coaches and athletes.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Ethical approval
Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained from the IRB (ID 17-895-101) prior to the initiation of this study.
Informed consent
Informed written consent was obtained from all study participants and their parents.