Isokinetic force-power profile of the shoulder joint in males participating in CrossFit training and competing at different levels

Abstract

Background: As participants who engage in CrossFit training and competition perform a large volume of high intensity overhead activities, injuries to the shoulder are one of the most common in this sport. Previous research in other sports has indicated that the isokinetic force power profile of the shoulder joint (IPSJ) rotator muscles may assist in the prediction of shoulder injury.

Aim: Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the IPSJ in males engaged in CrossFit training at different competitive levels.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study design, participants (age, 24.1 ± 2.7 years) classified as 'beginner' (n = 6), 'intermediate' (n = 7) or 'advanced' (n = 9) provided informed consent to participate in this study. The IPSJ assessment involved rotational and diagonal movements, including internal and external shoulder rotator muscles, at both 180°.s-1 and 300°.s-1. The variables analysed were peak torque/body mass (%), mean power (W) and the external/internal peak torque/body mass ratio (%). A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the IPSJ of the three groups, with Dunn's test used for post-hoc analysis. The alpha level was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The IPSJ showed greater torque and power values in those who competed at the advanced level as compared to those at a lower competitive level (i.e. intermediate, beginner). This was observed mainly for the internal rotation and internal diagonal movements at both 180°.s-1 and 300°.s-1. However, such differences between competitive levels were, in general, absent for the external rotation and external diagonal movements. Moreover, the participants from the advanced competitive level exhibited an imbalance of peak torque between the muscles responsible for the external-internal rotational and external-internal diagonal movements of the shoulder (i.e. peak torque external/internal ratio <66%), particularly in the dominant shoulder.

Conclusion: These findings suggest greater development of the shoulder internal rotators and a higher probability of shoulder injury in CrossFit athletes at the advanced competitive level. Based on these results, participants engaged in CrossFit training and competition may wish to increase the volume of training for the shoulder external rotator muscles to complement the large increases in shoulder internal rotator strength that occur as a part of their regular training regimes.

Keywords: Athletic performance; Exercise therapy; Human physical conditioning; Injuries; Physical education and training; Plyometric exercise; Resistance training; Return to sport; Sports; Strength training.

Conflict of interest statement

Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo and Justin W.L. Keogh are Academic Editors for PeerJ.

© 2021 Torres-Banduc et al.

Figures

Figure 1. Measurement of the isokinetic force-power profile of the shoulder joint in a representative male CrossFit athlete.

(A) and (B) External diagonal movement. The inverse pattern of movement allowed the measurement of internal diagonal parameters. (C) Initial position for the measurement of internal-external rotational performance.