SHOULDER ABDUCTION STRENGTH: IS IT AFFECTED BY THE DEGREE OF ABDUCTION? MODIFICATION OF THE NOTTINGHAM MECMESIN MYOMETER CLAMP

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the degree of abduction on shoulder abduction strength.

Thirty healthy volunteers with no history of shoulder complaint participated in this study. A modified Nottingham Mecmesin Myometer was used. The modification allowed the Myometer to be attached to a clinic table at different angles in order to be at 90°to the arm in varying degrees of abduction. Abduction strength of both shoulders was measured on four occasions at two-week intervals. On each occasion, a different abduction position was adopted at 90°, 60°, 30°and 0°.

The results showed that shoulder abduction strength varies according to the degree of abduction. In comparison with that at 90° of abduction, shoulder abduction strength showed an increase by 12.5% and of 31.3% at 60° and 30° of abduction respectively. However, it was decreased by 18.8% at 0° of abduction. The Student’s T-test showed significant difference between shoulder abduction strength at 90° abduction and all other three abduction positions.