| Summary: | Purpose: Shoulder girdle muscles are important for stabilizing the scapula and orienting the glenoid for upper-extremity motion in student athletes. Scapular strength deficits have been linked to shoulder dysfunction. Material: study the data of scapulothoracic musculature in student athletes using a handheld dynamometer. Cohort study. 66 subjects with varying levels of overhead activity. A handheld dynamometer was used to test the upper, middle, and lower trapezius, rhomboids, and serratus anterior. A one way-factor ANOVA was performed for each of the muscles by activity level analyses. 2-factor ANOVA was performed for each of the muscles by activity level and unilateral ratio by activity-level analyses. Post hoc analysis included multiple pairwise comparisons, using the Dunn-Bonferroni correction method. Results: Activity level did not significantly affect the unilateral ratios: Elevation: depression was 2.47:1, upward: downward rotation was 1.23:1, and protraction: retraction was 2.35:1. A rank order from strongest to weakest was established through significant comparisons. Conclusions: The unilateral ratios along with the rank order should be considered when discussing scapula rehabilitation protocols. Assessment of the upper and lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscles and should be part of any shoulder examination.
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