Connection between muscle strength of the upper body extremities, posture and orthopedic conditions in boxers, Master‘s thesis

Aim: To determine the connection between muscle strength of the upper body extremities, posture and orthopedic conditions in boxers. Objectives: 1. To evaluate injuries of the upper body extremities in amateur boxers. 2. To evaluate the muscle strength and the range of motion of the upper body extremities in amateur boxers. 3. To evaluate the pain levels of upper body extremities during provocation testing in amateur boxers. 4. To determine the connection between the upper body extremities and posture. Methods: A total of 12 amateur boxers, whom had at least 1 year of experience in this sport, participated in this trial. An instantaneous evaluation was performed in order to determine the connection between muscle strength and the range of motion of the upper body extremities, orthopedic conditions and posture. To test the strength of necessary muscle groups a Lafayette handheld digital dynamometer was used. To evaluate the range of motion of the upper body extremities a goniometer was used. Hawkins, Kennedy and Jobes tests were used to test for shoulder impingement. To determine shoulder instability a forward hold test was performed, as well as tests to check for medial and lateral epicondylitis. A W.W Hoeger visual measuring model was used to evaluate posture. The participants were surveyed before the trial