Scapular dyskinesis is common among asymptomatic European basketball players at the professional level.

Abstract

Scapular dyskinesis (SD) is present in as many as 67%-100% of athletes with shoulder injuries but it is also highly present in many asymptomatic individuals. The aim of the present study was to identify and analyse SD among asymptomatic professional basketball players. A total of 54 European professional basketball players of various professional levels and ages were included in this prospectively recruited cross-sectional study. Participants were assessed using subjective shoulder value (SSV), visual analogue score (VAS) and active range of motion (ROM). Visual combined palpation was used to classify scapular position and movement patterns according to Kibler's method. The clinical examination was completed by evaluating potential coexisting instability (apprehension test, Kim/Jerk and O'Brien tests) and hyperlaxity (Beighton score). The mean age of all participants (27 female, 27 male; 108 shoulders) was 23.9 ± 6.5 years. 28.7% of the included shoulders had SD (31/108; right: n = 12; left: n = 19), while none of the participants had a diagnosed SD before the present study. Shoulders with SD exhibited a significantly lower SSV (95.0 ± 10.5% vs. 99.0 ± 4.0%; p = 0.004) and reduced abduction (171.8 ± 11.7° vs. 176.6 ± 8.3°, p = 0.013) compared to shoulders without SD. Shoulders with at least one previous injury showed a significantly lower SSV compared to shoulders without previous injury (92.9 ± 12.0% vs. 98.4 ± 5.6%; p = 0.001). Shoulders with pain occurring at least once in last 12 months showed a significantly higher prevalence of SD (6/10 vs. 25/98; p = 0.022) and a lower SSV (90.5 ± 16.4% vs. 98.6 ± 4.4%; p = 0.024) compared to shoulders without pain in last 12 months. SD was observed in 28.7% of the shoulders in asymptomatic European professional basketball players. SD may represent a sport-specific adaptation, but its association with reduced shoulder function and pain suggests clinical relevance, emphasising the need for early detection and intervention. Level III, cohort study.