Inspiratory Muscle Strength and Diaphragm Thickness in People With Shoulder Pain in Tennis Players

NCT07334171 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: SHOULDER-DIAPH-01
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This observational case-control study will compare inspiratory muscle function and diaphragm morphology between individuals with shoulder pain and asymptomatic controls. Participants will be allocated into two groups according to the presence or absence of shoulder pain. Inspiratory muscle strength will be assessed by measuring maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) using standardized procedures. Diaphragm thickness will be evaluated bilaterally using ultrasound imaging at the end of inspiration (Tins) and at the end of expiration (Texp). Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Upper limb disability will be evaluated using the QuickDASH questionnaire, including the activities of daily living module and the optional sports module. All outcomes will be assessed in a single evaluation session. Between-group comparisons will be performed to analyze differences in inspiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness, pain intensity, and upper limb disability between participants with and without shoulder pain.

Conditions

Shoulder Pain

Keywords

Shoulder pain; diaphragm; Maximal inspiratory pressure; Ultrasound imaging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)

  Maximal inspiratory pressure measured in cmH₂O using a respiratory pressure meter as an indicator of inspiratory muscle strength.

  Single assessment at baseline visit

• Diaphragm thickness at inspiration

  Bilateral diaphragm muscle thickness measured by ultrasound imaging at the end of maximal inspiration (Tins)

  Single assessment at baseline visit

• Diaphragm thickness at expiration

  Bilateral diaphragm muscle thickness measured by ultrasound imaging at the end of maximal expiration (Texp).

  Single assessment at baseline visit

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Pain intensity (VAS)

  Single assessment at baseline visit

• Upper limb disability - activities of daily living

  Single assessment at baseline visit

• Upper limb disability - sport

  Single assessment at baseline visit

Study Arms (2)

Shoulder Pain Group

Participants with shoulder pain

Healthy Control Group

Participants without shoulder pain

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult racket sport players aged 18 to 60 years, both with and without non-specific shoulder pain, recruited from local sports clubs and university-related facilities.

You may qualify if:

• Tennis player who suffered from non-specific shoulder pain
• Training at least two times per week
• Have experienced at least 1 episode of non-specific shoulder pain in the last month
• A positive result on the following diagnostic tests: Neer Test and Jobe Test

You may not qualify if:

• Having taken anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants within the last 72 hours before the study
• Pregnancy
• Previous diagnosis of respiratory or neurological diseases
• Previous surgeries, fractures, and dislocations in the dominant shoulder
• Inability to follow instructions during the study
• All those for whom measuring maximum inspiratory pressure is contraindicated: unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction (within 4 weeks of the even or myocarditis, uncontrolled systemic hypertension, recent pneumothorax, post-lung biopsy surgery of less than one week, postoperative abdominal or genitourinary surgery of less than 6 months, and urinary incontinence

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Francisco de Vitoria: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, 28223, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthralgia; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 3, 2026
• First Posted: January 12, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2026
• Study Completion: March 20, 2026
• Last Updated: April 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

ES (1)