Papers by Marisa Pontillo
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
Sports Orthopaedics and Traumatology
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Physical Therapy in Sport
Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
Background: Relationships between core stability and lower extremity injuries have been described... more Background: Relationships between core stability and lower extremity injuries have been described in the literature; however, evidence of the relationship between upper extremity injuries and core stability and balance is limited. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical measures of core stability and balance between athletes with and without non-traumatic shoulder injuries. Study Design: Cross sectional. Methods: Eighty athletes (54 males, age: 21.2+3.3 years) participated in this study. Forty athletes with a current shoulder injury were matched to healthy athletes by age, gender, BMI, and sport. Athletes completed clinical core stability tests including flexor and extensor endurance tests, double leg lower test (°) and balance tests including single leg stance under eyes open and eyes closed conditions, and the Y-balance test. MANOVAs were used to assess group differences. Results: No statistically significant differences existed between athletes with and without shoulder injuries for clinical tests of core stability, F(1,78)=0.97, p=0.41; η2=0.04. No statistically significant differences existed between injured athletes with and without shoulder injuries for static and dynamic balance measures, F(1,78)=0.86, p=0.53; η2=0.07. Conclusions: Although core stability is widely incorporated in rehabilitation of athletes with shoulder injuries, performance on these clinical tests did not differ in the group of athletes assessed in this study.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2015
Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 2016
North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy Najspt, May 1, 2007
BackgroundUpper extremity weight-bearing exercises are routinely used in physical therapy for pat... more BackgroundUpper extremity weight-bearing exercises are routinely used in physical therapy for patients with shoulder pathology. However, little evidence exists regarding the demand on the shoulder musculature.ObjectiveTo examine changes in shoulder muscle activity and center of pressure during upper extremity weight-bearing exercises of increasing difficulty.MethodsElectromyographic (EMG) and kinetic data were recorded from both shoulders of 15 healthy subjects (10 male and 5 female). Participants were tested in a modified tripod position under three conditions of increasing difficulty: (1) hand directly on the force plate, (2) on a green Stability Trainer™ and (3) on a blue Stability Trainer™. Ground reaction forces were recorded for each trial. Surface EMG was recorded from the serratus anterior, pectoralis major, upper trapezius, lower trapezius, infraspinatus, anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, and the lateral head of the triceps muscles.ResultsMean deviation from center of pressure significantly increased when using the Stability Trainer™ pads. The activities of the triceps, serratus anterior, and anterior deltoid muscles significantly increased as each trial progressed, irrespective of stability condition. Additionally, activity in the anterior deltoid, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior muscles significantly decreased with increasing difficulty, whereas activity in the triceps muscles significantly increased.Discussion and ConclusionBalancing on a foam pad made it more difficult to maintain the upper extremity in a stable position. However, this activity did not alter the proprioceptive stimulus enough to elicit an increase in shoulder muscle activation. While the results on this study support the use of different level Stability Trainers™ to facilitate neuromuscular re-education, a less compliant unstable surface may produce larger training effects.
Elite Techniques in Shoulder Arthroscopy, 2015
Journal of Sports Sciences, 2014
The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between functional movement screen scores,... more The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between functional movement screen scores, maturation and physical performance in young soccer players. Thirty males (11-16 years) were assessed for maturation, functional movement screen scores and a range of physical performance tests (squat jump, reactive strength index protocol and reactive agility cut). Older players significantly outperformed younger participants in all tests (P < 0.05; effect sizes = 1.25-3.40). Deep overhead squat, in-line lunge, active straight leg raise and rotary stability test were significantly correlated to all performance tests. In-line lunge performance explained the greatest variance in reactive strength index (adjusted R(2) = 47%) and reactive agility cut (adjusted R(2) = 38%) performance, whilst maturation was the strongest predictor of squat jump performance (adjusted R(2) = 46%). This study demonstrated that variation of physical performance in youth soccer players could be explained by a combination of both functional movement screen scores and maturation.
Brazilian journal of physical therapy, 2015
Programs designed to prevent or rehabilitate athletic injuries or improve athletic performance fr... more Programs designed to prevent or rehabilitate athletic injuries or improve athletic performance frequently focus on core stability. This approach is based upon the theory that poor core stability increases the risk of poor performance and/or injury. Despite the widespread use of core stability training amongst athletes, the question of whether or not sufficient evidence exists to support this practice remains to be answered. 1) Open a dialogue on the definition and components of core stability. 2) Provide an overview of current science linking core stability to musculoskeletal injuries of the upper extremity. 3) Provide an overview of evidence for the association between core stability and athletic performance. Core stability is the ability to control the position and movement of the trunk for optimal production, transfer, and control of forces to and from the upper and lower extremities during functional activities. Muscle capacity and neuromuscular control are critical components o...
Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity, 2-Volume Set, 2011
If the treatment of shoulder problems is to be successful, an accurate diagnosis is required. To ... more If the treatment of shoulder problems is to be successful, an accurate diagnosis is required. To achieve this, it is necessary to pay attention to some peculiarities of the shoulder joint. Because of the great importance of the soft tissues in dynamic and static stabilization, bony lesions will occur late when massive dysfunction of the shoulder has maybe just occurred. Imaging techniques as CT or X-ray will not give a diagnosis in the early phases. Therefore, an exact clinical evaluation with a history and assessment of motion and special muscle testing will permit an early diagnosis.
Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity, 2-Volume Set, 2011
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Papers by Marisa Pontillo