Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the association between shoulder proprioception and shoulder rotators strength in water polo players. Twenty male water polo players aged 20.2 ± 2.3y participated in the study. Shoulder proprioception was evaluated by assessing joint position sense (JPS) at 30° of external rotation and at 30° of internal rotation. Shoulder external and internal rotators concentric and eccentric muscle strength was evaluated isokinetically at 120°/s. JPS acuity at 30° of external rotation [4.7(3.5°)] was similar to that observed at 30° of internal rotation [4.0(5.3°)]. The external/internal rotators strength ratio were 0.67 (0.23) and 0.66 (0.18), respectively for concentric and eccentric efforts while the dynamic control ratio was 0.69 [0.16]. Negative and significant correlations were found between relative error at 30° of external rotation and concentric and eccentric external rotators PT: r = −0.445 and r =−0.483, respectively, and the eccentric strength ratio of the external to internal rotators (r =−0.505). In addition the dynamic control ratio was lower than the recommended values for overhead athletes, which may expose/predispose the players to shoulder injury.