OBJECTIVES: Shoulder pain is common among overhead athletes, including throwing athletes and the occurrence rate of shoulder injuries is higher. The aim was examining an 8-week shoulder stabilization program to reduce the injuries and pain.

METHODS: Our research was a longitudinal, quantitative, prospective research. It includes (n=44) throwing athletes age between 14-20 years. The players were divided into examination group (EG, n=22) and control group (CG, n=22). EG participated an 8-week shoulder stabilization program, three times per week, while CG not participated in intervention. Before and after the program shoulder muscle strength (Seated Medicine Ball Throw-SMBT), stability (Y-Balance Test, Davies test, Switched arm’s test), range of motion (ROM), and the functional status of their shoulder (Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index-WOSI) were measured.

RESULTS: EG had significant (p=0.091) improvement in muscle strength (316.50±49.49 centimeter to 345.18±83.50 centimeter). The right shoulder flexion (163.45° to 180.00°), abduction (162.86° to 179.55°), internal rotation (50.32° to 76.59°), extension (46.59° to 62.95°), adduction (57.55° to 72.73°), while the left shoulder flexion (163.77° to 180.00°), abduction (162.50° to 175.64°), internal rotation (47.18° to 63.05°), extension (53.09° to 62.45°) (p=0.019), adduction (64.77° to 73.55°) significantly improved (p≤0.001). On the Davies test the left- (p≤0.001) and the right arm (p=0.003) and on the switched arm’s test (p≤0.001) significant differences were found. The Y-Balance test in both arms in every direction (p≤0.001) showed significant differences between. The WOSI score (21.71point to 11.44point) (p≤0.001), physical symptoms (16.23point to 8.75point) (p≤0.001), sports/recreation/work (32.90point to 18.99point) (p≤0.001), lifestyle (15.74point to 6.86point) (p≤0.001), emotion (33.18point to 20.18point) (p=0.002) significantly improved. In the comparison of the groups significant differences were found after the program in ROM, stability, strength, and functional status (p≤0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the shoulder stability program is effective in improving the shoulder joint function among throwing athletes.