Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE)

Shoulder Injuries in Volleyball Players

Shoulder injuries are very prevalent in volleyball players, especially in attackers and servers. Shoulder injuries can cause players to have to sit out of play for an average of four to six weeks during a season. Research has shown that most chronic shoulder discomfort and injury is caused by overuse of the shoulder through repetitive arm swings and muscular imbalances. Common chronic shoulder issues include impingement, tears, displacement, and tendinitis. It is crucial for these overhead athletes to maintain strength, stability, and proper range of motion in order to perform at their best and prevent these shoulder injuries from occurring. If shoulder injury does occur, however, there are steps to regain these essential shoulder components through the four main phases of rehabilitation: acute, intermediate, advanced strengthening, and return to play. The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate why shoulder injuries are so common in volleyball players, to better understand the mechanics of the shoulder in order to prevent these injuries from occurring, and to discuss treatment methods if these injuries do happen.