Effectiveness of overhead perturbation training on joint position sens
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effectiveness of overhead perturbation training on joint position sense in patients with functional shoulder instability: A pilot study with blinded, randomized controlled trial design.
IRAS ID
229780
Contact name
Christopher Tack
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University Hospitals
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 2 days
Research summary
Overhead Perturbation Training is an exercise series designed by the authors, and which has been described in better detail in the June 2017 published volume of the Strength & Conditioning Journal (published by Graham Burne and Christopher Tack):
Burne, G., & Tack, C. (2017). Overhead Perturbation Training. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 39(3), 87-93.
OPT is an overhead exercise where a weight is attached to a resistance band and hangs. The movement of the weight, magnitude of excursion and sequential application of progressively challenging stimuli is designed to expose the limb to variable but controlled perturbations.
Perturbation of upper limb position during overhead activities causes unpredicted change in tissue length, resulting in a responsive pattern of muscular contractions. The OPT exercise series ensures that the deficient client is exposed to positions of vulnerability against displacement of the limb by external force. It is postulated that neural adaptations are induced through introduction of both rhythmic and sudden alterations to these positions
A training stimulus (such as OPT) which facilitates neuromuscular control and speed of response to perturbation has potential to enhance overhead function (Wilk et al. 2016).
Our null hypothesis states that the addition of upper limb perturbation via a resistance band (the intervention) shows no difference in treatment effect on joint position sense than a non-perturbation control (the control). As such we aim to investigate whether in a population of anterior shoulder instability patients, OPT improves joint position sense, subject “readiness” to return to sport and reported functional improvement, to a greater extent that a control exercise.REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1334
Date of REC Opinion
30 Aug 2018
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion