Possibility of the Modified Wall-stretching Exercises to Improve Shoulder Flexibility
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Abstract
The shoulder joint frequently faces the risk of joint injury affecting its flexibility due to a large range of motion. Current managements usually require several poses and expert guidance that could affect their clinical application. The present study developed a practical strategy, as the so-called modified wall-stretching exercise, and preliminary investigated its possibility to improve shoulder flexibility in order for the findings to estimate the suitable number of sample size required to confirm the effectiveness of this technique. This quasi-experimental design was conducted in 10 pilot participants (5 females, and 5 males) who had limited flexibility in both shoulders as determined using the back scratch test. Participants performed a modified wall-stretching exercise by placing both hands on the wall and bending their upper trunks downward. They executed this exercise in three hand positions, including turning both hands upward, sideward, and downward with holding for 15 seconds in each hand position. The outcomes of the back scratch test were measured immediately before and after the exercise. Participants demonstrated significant reduction in the distance between both hands of the back scratch test immediately after completing a modified wall-stretching exercise (p-value < 0.01). The preliminary findings suggested the possibility of using a modified wall-stretching exercise as an alternative practical strategy to improve shoulder flexibility. In addition, the finding further suggested that a future study required at least 31 participants to confirm the effectiveness of this stretching protocol.
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