Assessing Shoulder Strength Imbalances in Performing Artists Using the EasyForce
- , by Marko Dombi
- 3 min reading time
As a Doctor of Physical Therapy working with artists and athletes in the entertainment industry, I am constantly looking for an edge that can help them excel. In athletics, the edge someone may need is often related to strength, speed, mobility or technique. As a clinician, part of our edge comes from being able to evaluate and address movement issues in our athletes both quickly and accurately. In this case study, I want to share one of my favorite tools I use to help evaluate and treat my clients.
Last week, I had the pleasure of helping my client and friend, Parker, with his chronic shoulder pain. Parker is a tricking athlete and performer for Atlanta Hawks Entertainment. In the performing arts, there is often a need for strength and stability at extreme ranges of motion. Tricking is no exception.
Parker Andrews - Tricking Athlete
During our testing, it became apparent that Parker was likely dealing with a rotator cuff issue. The rotator cuff consists of a group of 4 muscles that help to stabilize the shoulder. In isolation, these muscles rotate the shoulder, but in practice they work together to provide stability and strength to an incredibly mobile joint in our bodies. Often times, the external rotators of our shoulder are much weaker than our internal rotators, leading to a muscular imbalance that can change our posture, shoulder mechanics and potentially lead to pain.
We tested the ratio between his shoulders using the EasyForce – a clinical tool that detects force. The Easy Force is helpful in getting quick, accurate and easy-to-understand readings on strength, power and endurance.
Evidence has found the optimal ratio for shoulder external rotation strength to internal rotation strength to be 66-75%. Ideally, we are going for 75% +, especially in key positions related to the athlete’s activity. Due to the anatomy of the shoulder, the rotator cuff has to work much harder to stabilize the arm in an overhead position. This made testing in the overhead position especially relevant in Parker’s case.
Using the Meloq EasyForce, we were able to determine that Parker’s shoulder is below our ideal ratio, which is likely a factor in his persistent pain.
In addition to manual therapy, we put Parker on a program consisting of strength, mobility, coordination and performance drills to get his shoulder back to 100%.
TheEasyForce stands out due to its ability to provide immediate and clear feedback, which both enhances athlete motivation and accelerates their progress. This device offer clinicians comprehensive metrics such as average and peak force, time to peak, and total time under tension, enabling targeted and effective interventions.
In the evolving landscape of sports performance, the shift towards objective, data-driven methodologies marks a significant advancement, ensuring that training and rehabilitation practices are not only based on empirical evidence but are also tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each athlete.
Check out this video documenting my session with Parker.
About the Author
Neil Toussaint, PT, DPT, cert DN is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, tricking athlete, stuntman and owner of TrickStrong, LLC. TrickStrong helps athletes and artists get back to doing what they love, optimizing their health, performance and longevity along the way. Dr. Toussaint is currently based in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more at trickstrong.com and Instagram.com/trickstrong
