The rotator cuff muscles provide coordination and movement of the humerus bone in the arm, preventing it from compressing against the top of the scapula bone. In the aging population, mechanical pinching of the rotator cuff tendons occurs from degenerative changes, muscle weakness and stress overload on the tissues. In younger individuals, rotator cuff problems occur with muscle imbalances and abnormal movement patterns. Proprioceptive exercise helps to improve neuromuscular functioning and is a specialized variation of the sense of touch.
Proprioception
Proprioception is important in developing neuromuscular control of the rotator cuff with sports activities, especially throwing or overhead movements. It improves muscle tone, reduces strain on the joints and ligaments of the shoulder and can decrease the vulnerability to injuries. Balance and coordination exercises improve muscle restraint and provide a protective reflex during movement. Muscles that are deconditioned or fatigued have a low muscle tone and move awkwardly. This can lead to injury and wear and tear of tissue.
Proprioceptive Exercise Equipment
Resistance bands, exercise balls and medicine balls are examples of equipment used to develop proprioception. Exercises should start with the arm at your side and progress to overhead movements. Progression is based on the speed of the movement and added tension resistance. All activities should be monitored based on the "shrug sign." When an individual performing an exercise begins to shrug his shoulders, he should stop. This demonstrates lack of rotator cuff control; therefore the exercise should be modified so it is performed without shrugging.
Rhythmic Stabilization
In the March 1994 issue of the “Journal of Athletic training," Nina Partin, MS, ATC states that “rhythmic stabilization” occurs when an individual positions her upper extremity anywhere in its available range of motion and holds an isometric contraction. External resistance is applied by the trainer to cause the individual to react, but not enough to disrupt the isometric contraction. Progression can consist of the length of time, resistance and the amount of contact to the area between the trainer and the individual.
Rowing Exercises
Rowing exercises provide the capability for training and strengthening the scapular muscles that retract or pull your shoulder blades backward. Rowing exercises involve pulling your arms and shoulders towards you and can be performed with resistance bands, free weights or weight machines. Slow controlled movements are important to facilitate proprioception and muscle activity. Shoulder retraction exercises promote rotator cuff stability and prevent the humerus bone from moving upward and pinching the rotator cuff tendon.
Potential for Injury
Due to its wide freedom of movement, the shoulder is susceptible to injury.The shoulder joint is the most frequently dislocated major joint of the body. It is easily injured because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain stable, the shoulder must be anchored by its muscles, tendons, and ligaments, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Proprioception exercises improve stability and function.
Keywords
- rotator cuff exercises
- proprioception shoulder exercises
- rotator cuff strengthening
- shoulder exercises
- rotator cuff proprioception
- rotator cuff injuries
- Gary J. Maguire, PT Physical Therapist
- Gary Maguire, PT Physical Therapist
- Gary Maguire, PT Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapy
- Vancouver, WA
Reference
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Questions and Answers about Shoulder Problems [http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Shoulder_Problems/default.asp]
- "Journal of Athletic Training"; Upper Extremity Proprioceptive Training; Nina B. Partin, MS, ATC et al; March; 1994 [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1317754/]
- MayoClinic.com; Rotator Cuff Injuries [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rotator-cuff-injury/DS00192]
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