Shoulder functional status in rugby union players with and without history of shoulder problems.

Objectives: To assess the effects of (1) rugby union practice, (2) history of injury managed nonoperatively, and (3) history of injury managed operatively on shoulder functional status in male rugby union players.

Design: Cross sectional study.

Setting: Clinical.

Participants: 86 male athletes were assigned into four groups: multisport athletes, rugby union players without shoulder problems, with history of shoulder injury managed nonoperatively and with history of shoulder injury managed operatively.

Main Outcome Measures: SI-RSI questionnaire, maximal isometric glenohumeral internal and external rotator strength, unilateral seated shot put test, upper quarter Y balance test.

Results: Healthy players presented higher internal (p = 0.03) and external (p = 0.04) rotator strength than multisport athletes. History of shoulder injury managed nonoperatively did not impair physical abilities but limited player's psychological readiness (p < 0.001). After 4.5-months, shoulder stabilization surgery impaired maximal muscle strength and upper quarter body stability and mobility (p < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions: The shoulder functional status in rugby union player presented increased glenohumeral rotator strength when compared to non-collision sport athletes. In rugby union players, psychological concerns remained in the long-term after a shoulder injury managed nonoperatively, and psychological and physical readiness seemed not be reached at 4.5 months postoperatively to respond to rugby union practice demand.