Effect of scapula stabilizing Muscles strengthening to Improve throw-in Distance among College Level Male soccer Players

To investigate the relationship between the strength of scapula stabilizing muscles and the throw in distance among college level male soccer players.

Randomized control trial.

32 college level soccer players aged between16 and 26 years, who had participated in at least one college level tournament were included in the study. The participants were then randomized by lottery method to control group (n=16) and interventional group (n=16). Control group underwent regular coaching program and interventional group had specific scapula stabilizing muscle strength training in addition to regular coaching program for 6 weeks. Their pre and post training strength and throw-in distance measures were documented. Data was analyzed using paired‘t’ test and independent‘t’ test. Level of significance was set at p<0.05.

There was significant within group improvement in strength and throw-in distance in both groups. The intervention group showed greater improvement in both strength and throw-in distance compared to the control group. However, the between group comparison did not show any statistical significance.

This study showed a clinically significant improvement in strength and throw-in distance post specific scapula stabilizing muscle strengthening. Thus, including scapula stabilizing muscle strengthening in the regular coaching program could provide an added gain to the player and his performance in the sport.