Effects of Ai Chi on Scapular Muscle Activation in Overhead Athletes With Scapular Dyskinesis

Scapular dyskinesis (SD) is common in overhead athletes and negatively influence the athletes' performance, increasing the risk of shoulder injury. The kinetic chain (KC) exercises for SD rehabilitation that emphasize importance of core strength and scapula stability during skillful performance. Ai Chi, the aquatic exercises performed in functional positions, which are adequate for power transfer of KC. This study will investigate the effect of KC-based water exercises, Ai Chi, on scapular muscles in overhead athletes with SD.

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Key information

Conditions

Scapular Dyskinesis Athletic Injuries Cumulative Trauma Disorders Muscle Weakness Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Manifestations Overuse Injury Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Sprains and Strains Wounds and Injuries

Age range

20 year–99 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

National Taiwan University Hospital

Taipei, Taiwan

About this study

The purpose of this study is to investigate muscle activations of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), latissimus dorsi (LD), and muscle balance ratios of UT/LT, UT/SA I in overhead athletes with SD via KC-based exercise in water and on land. KC-based exercises including the movement patterns of Ai Chi which consist of shoulder flexion/ extension, horizontal abduction/ adduction, internal and external rotation, scapular protraction/retraction combined with spinal rotation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

The participants are overhead athletes with scapular dyskinesis (SD) who played overhead sports activities at least 3 hours/week.

Exclusion criteria

the individuals who have shoulder/neck pain in recent 3 months (VAS >7/10)
severe shoulder trauma (the collision shoulder, shoulder sprains or strains)
severe scoliosis (Cobb angle > 25 degrees)
surgery of upper extremity (the shoulder, cervical spine and elbow) or cervical spine
peripheral nerve injury or neurological disease (impaired sensation or motor function: numbness, tingle, muscle weakness)
body mass index (BMI) >25
infectious disease (upper respiratory tract infection, skin infection, etc.)

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction of upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), latissimus dorsi (LD)

Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 months

The muscle activity of UT, LT, SA and LD of the dominant hand will be recorded for 3 trials of each exercises with 3-seconds concentric phase and 3-seconds eccentric phase. There is a 3-second rest between trails and one-minute rest between exercises.

Secondary outcomes

Muscle balance ratio of UT/SA

Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 months

The muscle balance ratio will be calculated to represent the conditions of these force couples in scapular region.
Muscle balance ratio of UT/LT

Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 months

The muscle balance ratio will be calculated to represent the conditions of these force couples in scapular region.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Taiwan University Hospital

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2022
Primary completion: 2023
Study completion: 2023
First posted: Feb 6, 2023
Registry last updated: Jan 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed