Abstract

Background & Objectives: To compare the mean percentage improvement in coordination, strength and disability in overhead throw athletes with partial thickness tear of the rotator cuff following plyometric training in different phases of rehabilitation.

Methods: a total of 30 male overhead throwers suffering from partial thickness tear of the rotator cuff injury, on the basis of inclusion criteria were taken in the study. A full description of the study, including the selection process was explained to each patient. Documented consent was obtained from each patient. Group 1 consisted of athletes with history of rotator cuff injury one and half year back and group 2 included athletes with rotator cuff injury three months back. Coordination, strength and disability were assessed pre and post plyometric training for a period of three weeks and the mean percentage of improvement were compared in both the group following plyometric training.

Results: intragroup analysis showed a significant improvement in coordination, strength with the level of significance (p<0.05).

Discussion & Conclusion: group 1 showed an improvement in the mean percentage in coordination, the strength of supraspinatus muscle, and bench press when compared to the group 2. While the group 2 showed an improvement in mean percentage in the strength of the subscapularis, teres minor muscle and infraspinatus muscle when compared with the group 1.

Keywords: Partial tear of the rotator cuff; Plyometric training; Overhead throwers