Publication:

Comparison of shoulder and scapular parameters like mobility and endurance in bodybuilders and normal gym going people

Background Resistance training, including bodybuilding and regular gym workouts, has surged in popularity. However, bodybuilding is focused on muscle hypertrophy and aesthetics while regular gym workouts emphasize general fitness and strength. This may induce muscle imbalances affecting shoulder and scapular function in the bodybuilders. This study compared shoulder and scapular mobility and endurance between bodybuilders and regular gym-goers.

Methods Participants were 62 healthy individuals aged 20-35 years (31 bodybuilders with ≥3 years of hypertrophy-focused training; 31 gym-goers with ≥1 year of general strength training; matched for age, BMI, and training frequency). Assessments included: Apley’s back scratch test (shoulder flexibility via reach distance), modified scapular slide test (scapular dyskinesis at rest and loaded positions), posterior shoulder endurance test (time to fatigue in prone horizontal abduction), and scapular muscle endurance test (time to failure in prone Y-raise). Data were analyzed using Minitab software, employing the Mann-Whitney U test and an unpaired t-test. A p value of <0.001 was considered statistically significant.

Results Bodybuilders showed significantly reduced shoulder mobility (Apley’s test), scapular mobility (modified slide test), shoulder endurance (posterior test), and scapular endurance compared to gym-goers (p<0.05).

Conclusions Bodybuilding adaptations likely cause muscle imbalances, impairing functional mobility and endurance. Bodybuilders should incorporate targeted mobility and endurance training.