Study design: Cross sectional.
Objectives: To compare the strength and range of motion of the dominant and nondominant shoulders of adult female amateur tennis players. The secondary purpose of the study was to examine whether there were any differences in the observed relationships between women with a past history of shoulder pain and those with no history of shoulder pathology.
Background: Information on characteristics of the shoulder in amateur female tennis players is scarce, as research has concentrated on highly skilled or male players, despite the cumulative prevalence of shoulder pain in this group.
Methods and measures: Fifty-one female competitive, amateur tennis players (average age, 45 years) were tested bilaterally for shoulder internal/external rotation passive range of motion and isokinetic concentric strength.
Results: Shoulder range of motion and strength ratios were comparable between sides. In the dominant arm, the total rotational range of motion was 221 degrees, with an internal to external rotator peak torque ratio of 1.05. External rotator strength was significantly greater in the dominant arm of individuals with no history of pain.
Conclusions: Range of motion and strength adaptations widely reported in highly skilled tennis players were not apparent in amateur female players. In assessment and management, clinicians should regard the amateur female tennis player as a separate entity from the highly skilled player.