Effect of Myofascial Decompression on Shoulder Range of Motion and Strength of Healthy Overhead Athletes

Background: Muscular and anatomical adaptations occur with repetitive overhead movements and are commonly associated with pathologies that can lead to missed practice and competition time. The knowledge of interventions to improve range of motion and strength of the shoulder are beneficial to the sports medicine team, athlete, and coaches.Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the immediate effects of myofascial decompression therapy (MFD) has on range of motion (ROM) strength of internal (IROT) and external rotation (EROT) of the shoulder, and to explore MFD as an effective treatment for overhead athletes. Study Design: 30 total subjects, 15 control, 15 experimental. The study was a randomized, experimental design with repeated measure one-way ANOVAs. Methods: There was one session that lasted 20-30 minutes. The subjects for the control group had their range of motion and strength tested followed by a 10 min rest period and then re-tested. The subjects in the experimental group were tested, had a cupping treatment performed, and then retested.Results: Mean ROM scores were as follows: control pre IROT= 73.7� (9.9), post=79.3� (12.9), experimental pre IROT= 72.3� (13.7), post= 83.1� (13.9) with no statistical differences between measure and group. Statistical significance (F=5.728, Sig=0.024) was found with the control pre EROT=101.6� (6.2), post=102.2� (10.4), experimental pre EROT= 102.6� (8.5), post=110.0� (7.2). Statistical significance lacked by group and measure when comparing the control pre/post IR avg. torque pre= 24.02(14.1), post=24.09(13.8), experimental group pre= 29.23(10.2), post= 30.5(10.2) and in ER avg. torque control group pre= 14.37(7.4), post=14.54(7.1), experimental pre=17.65(5.4), post=18.03(4.5).Conclusion: External rotation ROM improved significantly (+7.4).Clinical Relevance: Due to lack of statistical significance in all variables except EROT ROM, this study demonstrates little to no clinical relevance to the use of MFD for the purposes of increasing immediate shoulder ROM and strength. Key Terms: Myofascial decompression (MFD), range of motion (ROM), strengthEducation (PhD