Examining the link between thoracic rotation and scapular dyskinesis and shoulder pain amongst college swimmers

Objectives: In National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I swimmers, we examined the differences in thoracic spine rotation in swimmers with and without scapular dyskinesis and the relationship between thoracic spine rotation and shoulder pain/dysfunction according to the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) score. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Laboratory-based. Participants: 34 NCAA Division I swimmers (13 males, 21 females). Main outcome measures: Self-reported upper extremity function and pain assessed with the KJOC questionnaire, thoracic spine range of motion, presence of scapular dyskinesis. Results: Dyskinesis was present in 15 of 34 (44%) subjects. Thoracic rotation averaged 136.7° and KJOC averaged 87.7 with no differences between swimmers with or without dyskinesis. We observed no correlation between KJOC-identified shoulder pain/dysfunction and thoracic rotation. Conclusions: In our cohort of NCAA Division 1 swimmers, no differences were found between swimmers with or without scapular dyskinesis and extent of thoracic rotation. We found no correlation between thoracic rotation and the amount of self-reported pain and dysfunction experienced in the upper extremity. The presence of scapular dyskinesis in nearly half of our subjects indicates that swimmers need to be assessed for this abnormality. If observed, rehabilitation should address the dyskinesis and improve thoracic rotation in an attempt to alleviate further upper extremity pain and dysfunction.