A Scoping Review on Shoulder Injuries of Wheelchair Tennis Players: Potential Risk-Factors and Musculoskeletal Adaptations

Wheelchair tennis players are at high risk for shoulder injuries due to wheelchair use, overhead movements, and daily activities. This study reviews existing research to identify common shoulder problems, risk factors, and adaptations in wheelchair tennis players. The review looks at studies on wheelchair tennis, wheelchair sports, and able-bodied tennis to understand the factors contributing to shoulder injuries in wheelchair tennis players, given the limited research directly focused on this group. The study aims to provide information that can help researchers, coaches, and players prevent shoulder injuries by identifying potential causes and musculoskeletal adaptations.

• 1
  Common shoulder complaints in wheelchair tennis players include acromioclavicular pathology, osteoarthritic changes, joint effusion, and rotator cuff tears.
• 2
  Potential risk factors involve overhead movements, repetitive activation of anterior muscles and internal rotators, and higher spinal cord injury levels.
• 3
  Musculoskeletal adaptations often include muscular imbalance favoring internal rotators, increased external range of motion, decreased internal range of motion, and reduced total arc of motion.