Comparing the Efficacy of Solely Scapular Stability Training versus Combined Thoracic Flexibility Training in Elite Table Tennis Players with Scapular Dyskinesis

This study aimed to compare the effects of scapular stability training (SST) alone and combined scapular stability and thoracic flexibility training (TFT) in elite table tennis players with scapular dyskinesis (SD). Thirty players were categorized into three groups based on the presence of scapular dysfunction: the control (n = 10), shoulder (n = 10, with dysfunction), and chest groups (n = 10, with dysfunction). The shoulder group underwent scapular stability training alone, while the chest group underwent combined scapular stability and thoracic flexibility training. Various variables, including average track error (ATE), angular velocity, lateral scapular slide test (LSST) positions, upper quarter Y-balance test (YBT) distance, and range of motion (ROM) of thoracic rotation, were measured before and after the interventions. For the shoulder group, the playing-side ATE decreased significantly after the experiment (p = 0.005), along with increased angular velocity. LSST positions one, two, and three were smaller after the experiment (p values of 0.008, 0.008, and 0.009, respectively), indicating improved proprioception. The chest group exhibited significant differences in playing-side ATE, angular velocity, LSST positions two and three, YBT distance, and ROM thoracic rotation after training (all p < 0.05). The playing-side YBT distance (p = 0.002), ROM of thoracic rotation to the right (p = 0.001), and angular velocity (p = 0.003) were all higher in the chest group than in the shoulder group. Both interventions positively impacted scapular stability, but combined training, especially in the chest group, showed additional benefits in terms of angular velocity, YBT distance and thoracic rotation. These findings suggest that combined scapular stability and thoracic flexibility training may offer superior outcomes in elite table tennis players with SD.