Effects of an 8-week progressive sensorimotor training program on shoulder proprioception, range of motion, forward shoulder posture, and sport-specific skills in male volleyball players with scapular dyskinesis: a randomized controlled trial

Repetitive overhead activity may contribute to scapular dyskinesis and related shoulder dysfunction in volleyball players. This study examined the effects of an 8-week progressive sensorimotor training program on shoulder joint position sense (JPS), range of motion, forward shoulder posture, and sport-specific skills in male volleyball players with scapular dyskinesis. Thirty male volleyball players with scapular dyskinesia were randomly assigned to control and training groups. The pass and service skill variables were measured by the AAHPERD test. Forward shoulder posture and proprioception were evaluated using a photogrammetric approach, and active range of motion (ROM) of shoulder external and internal rotation was measured using a goniometer. ANCOVA (with pre-test scores as covariate) was used for normally distributed outcomes, and the Mann–Whitney U test was applied for proprioception, which violated normality assumptions. ANCOVA revealed significant between-group differences in pass skill, serve skill, active ROM of shoulder internal and external rotation, and forward shoulder posture in favor of the training group. Additionally, Mann–Whitney U test analysis indicated a significant improvement in shoulder JPS in the training group compared to controls. Replacing a portion of routine volleyball training with sensorimotor exercises may be a useful intervention for improving scapular positioning, shoulder JPS, pass and serve skills, and range of motion in young male competitive volleyball players with scapular dyskinesis. The trial was registered in the clinical trial registry with registration number IRCT20200125046250N3 on 23/06/2024. Retrospectively registered.