Comparing Scapular Stability Training to Combined Scapular Stability and Thoracic Flexibility Training in Elite Table Tennis Players with Scapular Dyskinesis

This study aimed to compare the effects of scapular stability training (SST) alone and combined scapular stability and thoracic flexibility training (TFT) in elite table tennis players with scapular dyskinesis.

Thirty players were categorized into three groups based on the presence of scapular dysfunction: the Control (n = 10), Shoulder (n = 10, with dysfunction), and Chest groups (n = 10, with dysfunction). The Shoulder group underwent scapular stability training alone, while the Chest group underwent combined scapular stability and thoracic flexibility training. Various parameters, including Average Track Error (ATE), angular velocity, Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST) positions, Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT) distance, and Rang of Motion (ROM) of thoracic rotation, were measured before and after interventions.

For the Shoulder group, the playing-side ATE decreased significantly after the experiment (p = 0.005), along with increased angular velocity. LSST positions one, two, and three were smaller after the experiment (p values are 0.008, 0.008, and 0.009, respectively), indicating improved proprioception. The Chest group exhibited significant differences in playing-side ATE, angular velocity, LSST positions two and three, YBT distance, and ROM thoracic rotation after training (All p 0.05). The playing-side YBT distance (p = 0.002), ROM of thoracic rotation to the right (p = 0.001), and angular velocity (p = 0.003) were all higher in the Chest group than in the Shoulder group. Both interventions positively impacted scapular stability, but combined training, especially in the Chest group, showed additional benefits in terms of angular velocity, YBT distance and thoracic rotation.

These findings suggest that combined scapular stability and thoracic flexibility training may offer superior outcomes in elite table tennis players with SD. Future research should examine the specific impacts of scapular and thoracic training on athletes with concurrent shoulder pain and scapular dysfunction, aiming to refine training protocols more effectively.

This training program has shown progress in improving scapular positioning and enhancing neuromuscular control of surrounding muscles, offering initial evidence of the effectiveness of stability training in boosting athletic performance. It can be directly applied to table tennis players to improve scapular function and enhance athletic performance.