Assessing Thrower's Ten program's effect on shoulder flexibility, stability, and strength in water polo athletes.

Abstract

The Thrower's Ten (T10) rehabilitation program is proven effective in preventing and rehabilitating injuries in overhead throwing sports. Its effect on water polo athletes remains unclear. This study involved 46 water polo athletes (age = 16.89 ± 2.89 years, height = 173.09 ± 9.40 cm, mass = 64.50 ± 11.96 kg, BMI = 21.39 ± 2.81 kg/m²) randomized into T10 and control groups. The T10 group performed T10 exercises three times weekly for 10 weeks, with each exercise consisting of 2 × 10 repetitions. The control group followed regular water polo training without additional exercises. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention, measuring upper extremity internal and external rotation strength with an isokinetic dynamometer, shoulder stability using the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Test (CKCUEST), and shoulder flexibility through internal and external rotation range of motion tests. The T10 group showed significant improvements in CKCUEST scores, shoulder flexibility, and non-dominant extremity internal rotation strength compared to pre-intervention values (<i>P</i> < 0.05). In CKCUEST average touches and normalized score measurements, the T10 group performed significantly better than the control group (<i>P</i> < 0.05). T10 exercises enhanced stability and flexibility in water polo athletes, with partial effectiveness in improving strength.