Author(s): CHEN, C., CHEN, J., HSU, P. , Institution: HUNGKUANG UNIVERSITY , Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 2289

INTRODUCTION:
Scapular dyskinesis, defined as altered scapular position or motion relative to the thorax, is common in overhead athletes, with a prevalence of about 61% compared with roughly 33% in non‑overhead athletes. Athletes with asymptomatic scapular dyskinesis have been reported to show an approximately 43% increased risk of developing shoulder pain within 9–24 months, suggesting that abnormal scapular control is an important risk factor for subsequent shoulder pathology. Olympic weightlifting requires rapid, high‑load overhead movements, in which the scapula must provide a stable and dynamically controlled base through adequate upward rotation, posterior tilt and external rotation to maintain barbell alignment and reduce subacromial and rotator cuff loading. Elastic scapular taping based on the Mulligan concept has been proposed as a non‑invasive intervention to optimise scapular positioning and proprioceptive feedback, yet evidence in weightlifters with scapular dyskinesis remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the immediate and 48‑hour effects of elastic scapular taping on shoulder mobility, strength, closed‑chain upper extremity stability and perceived shoulder comfort in weightlifters with scapular dyskinesis.
METHODS:
Ten weightlifters with scapular dyskinesis (5 males and 5 females; mean age 20.5 years) were recruited from weightlifting‑type training programmes. Scapular dyskinesis was confirmed using a standard Scapular Dyskinesis Test. All participants received elastic scapular taping according to the Mulligan concept, positioning the scapula into a more posteriorly tilted and retracted orientation while optimising the scapulohumeral relationship. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline (pre‑taping), immediately after taping and 48 hours after taping. Primary outcomes included active shoulder range of motion (flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation), isometric shoulder strength and closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability assessed by the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST). The secondary outcome was perceived shoulder comfort, evaluated using a 10‑cm Visual Analogue Scale. Changes over time were analysed using repeated‑measures ANOVA.
RESULTS:
No significant time effects were observed for shoulder range of motion, isometric strength, CKCUEST performance or Visual Analogue Scale scores across baseline, immediately after taping and 48 hours after taping (all p > 0.05). A single application of elastic scapular taping did not produce meaningful immediate or short‑term changes in objective functional indices or subjective shoulder comfort in this sample of young weightlifters with scapular dyskinesis..
CONCLUSION:
Although scapular dyskinesis is highly prevalent in overhead athletes and associated with an elevated risk of future shoulder pain, the present preliminary data suggest that short‑term use of elastic scapular taping alone may provide limited functional benefit for weightlifters with scapular dyskinesis. The lack of significant effects may partly reflect the small sample size (n = 10), which reduces statistical power and increases the likelihood of type II error. Larger, adequately powered trials with longer follow‑up periods and protocols that combine elastic scapular taping with targeted scapular strengthening and motor control training are needed to clarify the potential role of taping as an adjunct strategy for shoulder injury prevention and performance optimization in high‑load overhead athletes.