LAUSR

Whether it is acute or chronic, during competition and training, the overhead athlete is required to execute his/her skills several times. Therefore, the attraction of a stronger side of the body is very apparent. This is especially true for those who play one-sided games such as squash, badminton and water polo. Unfortunately, this leads to incidences of muscle imbalance, which has been linked to the occurrence of injuries as it substantially increases the risk due to the differences in strength and this is directly correlated to the decline in the performance of athletes [1]. Athletes are likely to suffer injuries attributed to muscle imbalance because of the different muscle forces applied in the dominant and non-dominant arms. The dominant arm applies muscle force nearly 10% greater than the non-dominant arm. The rotator cuff muscles and tendons in badminton players on the dominant arm exert more strength than that of the non-dominant arm. The ratio between eccentric antagonist and concentric agonist strength is significant in the analysis of shoulder symptoms displayed by badminton players [2]. For typical shoulder function, the belief is that the antagonist eccentric force should be as strong as the agonist concentric strength. Many researchers also believe eccentric strength is an important factor to determine the limb following the drive provided by the action of the agonist muscles. One of the many consequences of Muscle Imbalance is low back pain. Noormohammadpour et al. [3] looked at the prevalence of low back pain in distinct overhead sports among female athletes. Research results involving 1059 overhead athletes with a median age of 23.1 years revealed that 39.0 prevalence of low back pain was related to badminton (42.4%). Moreover, the activation of the trunk musculature has been demonstrated by numerous isometric shoulder exercises. Unilateral horizontal shoulder abduction and bilateral shoulder extension performed standing are related to the highest activation of trunk musculature. Meanwhile, it should be noted that the muscles that demonstrate the highest activation during unilateral horizontal abduction encompass the Multifidus and Longissimus muscles (highest activation on the contralateral side), whereas the External oblique and Rectus abdominis muscles are most highly activated during bilateral shoulder extension. The muscle imbalance from side to side in the shoulder and trunk has been indicated as a key factor of injuries in overhead sports athletes. Badminton players should also focus on exercises to enhance the non-dominant side of their bodies, otherwise, it can lead to muscle imbalance and injury. Preventive training programmes need to be designed and integrated into the training regime of the athletes to avoid re-injury. The overall findings of this letter show overhead athletes are susceptible to shoulder, elbow, back, and wrist injuries attributed to muscle imbalances in either the dominant or non-dominant side. Athletes should engage in training and therapeutic programmes that help them learn techniques of avoiding potential injuries. Preventive strength training can help players balance and stabilise the rotator cuff muscles and minimise the occurrence of injuries. Furthermore, training allows players to learn proper throwing and pitching techniques and also restores neuromuscular function to minimise the impact of muscle imbalance. Few studies have focused on the non-dominant side and thus further research should pay attention to muscle imbalance in non-dominant upper limbs and their connection to overhead sports injuries as well as to provide important programmes and exercises that can stabilise muscles on the non-dominant side. A special programme focusing mainly on addressing muscle * Qais Gasibat [email protected]