The Most Effective Intervention for Reducing Posterior Shoulder Tightness Acutely in the Post-operative Population

This study will look at which, if any, active stretching procedure is most effective at
correcting posterior shoulder tightness (PST) in the post-operative population. Posterior
shoulder tightness can influence shoulder mobility and function within both a symptomatic
and an asymptomatic population. There are previous studies that have examined the
effectiveness of different active stretching procedures and their ability to correct PST but
only in the asymptomatic population. As clinicians it will be helpful to investigate their
effect within a symptomatic population in order to prescribe appropriate and effective
stretches within an individual's home exercise program. The study design is a double
blinded randomized control trial. During evaluation a passive measurement of PST and
internal rotation will be performed. Another therapist, blinded to the measurements, will
randomly select which subgroup the individual will be placed in for the first three
individuals and this sequence will be followed for the remainder of the participants. At
this time the therapist will instruct the individual on the corresponding exercise which
they will perform in front of that therapist. The individual will perform this exercise one
more time that day and twice the following day and once again upon follow up prior to having
internal rotation and PST measured once again. At this point this will be the conclusion of
that individuals involvement in the study.

Null Hypothesis1: Stretches are no more effective than no treatment for reducing PST acutely
in the post-operative shoulder population.

Hypothesis1: Stretches are more effective than no treatment for reducing PST acutely in the
post-operative population.

Null Hypothesis2: There is no significant difference in the reduction of PST between the
horizontal adduction stretch and the modified sleeper stretch acutely in the post-operative
shoulder population.

Hypothesis2: There is a significant difference in the reduction of PST between the
horizontal adduction stretch and the modified sleeper stretch acutely in the post-operative
shoulder population.