Development of muscular imbalance in the shoulder girdle in volleyball players

This bachelor?s thesis deals with the development of muscular imbalance in the shoulder girdle in volleyball players. The volleyball player?s shoulder is the most exposed and vulnerable joint. In addition, the way the sport has developed, the pressure on this joint has grown. Shoulder pain limits the player?s most important move: the strength and the power of the smash and the smash serve. This thesis consists of two parts: theoretical and a practical. The theoretical part deals with the anatomy and the biomechanics of the shoulder girdle, and with the injuries of the shoulder joint most often experienced by the volleyball players, such that can be detected by a clinical examination. In the practical part I used qualitative research, and the appropriate diagnostics and measures to asses the effectiveness of physiotherapy. The research was carried out in the Beskydy Children?s Sanatorium in Metylovice. The research sample consisted of three volleyball players from the Metylovice Volleyball Club (SK Metylovice). Examination of the participants showed the presence of muscular imbalance in all of them; secondary damage to the shoulder joint was also detected in all participants. Any top-level physical performance will stress the body, often unevenly, and it is crucial to compensate it. The combination of a targeted physiotherapy methods and compensation exercises, together with spontaneous regeneration, can repair any damage, or even prevent it, and thus lead to an optimal function of the joints and the adjoining soft tissue. Physiotherapy plan was prepared for each participant and was then successfully followed. The final/exit examination showed a reduction in both the muscular imbalance and the secondary damage previously seen in the shoulder joint. In Appendix 2 I describe compensation exercises that should be included in any volleyball training programme, to prevent the development of muscular imbalance. This work could be used as a guide to effective repair approach to this problem. The suggested exercises aim to relax, stretch and strengthen the entire shoulder girdle, and thus increase the range of movement and the muscle power within the joint