Analysis of Shoulder Rotator Training by Arm Wrestlers

ABSTRACT Introduction: Armwrestling is officially recognized in 160 countries affiliated with the World Armwrestling Federation. The movements involve the upper limbs, with emphasis on shoulder rotators, elbow flexors and extensors, and wrist. Objective: To evaluate the balance of agonist/antagonist forces in shoulder rotation and to verify differences in relation to the normative value of 64% for strength and 66% for power in the ratio between internal and external rotators. Methods: Seventeen international-level athletes were selected. A Biodex isokinetic dynamometer was used to evaluate the balance in peak torque of agonists and antagonists in shoulder rotation with strength and power tests. Results: Significant differences were found in the agonist/antagonist ratio in the power tests, with an average of 57% (P-value = 0.001) versus 66% of the normative value, and in the strength test, 58% (P-value = 0.064) versus 64% of the normative value. Discussion: The muscular strength and power of the subjects were analyzed in relation to normative parameters for internal and external shoulder rotation. The results were significant in relation to the normative values, indicating muscular imbalance in this group of athletes. Conclusion: The results indicate that the training performed by armwrestlers promotes a greater gain in strength of the internal rotators of the shoulder than their antagonists. Level of Evidence I; Diagnostic criteria previously tested on consecutive patients (with a universally applied "gold standard").