Acute Responses To Indian Clubs As An External Load During A Standardized Warm-up

Indian club swinging (ICS) provides a low-intensity, dynamic, and repetitive option to increase intensity while performing a warm-up for the upper extremity. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare shoulder mobility and isokinetic (ISK) measures after performing a warm-up (WU) with ICS compared with two other WU conditions. METHODS: 18 participants [Age: 23 (±3) yrs, Height: 167 (±12) cm, Weight: 80.3 (±19.4) kg] performed three WU routines: 2 lb ICS, 2 lb dumbbell [DB], and no external load [CON]). The WU consisted of 15 regressed movements to mimic the components of traditional ICS. After each WU condition average and maximum active range of motion during glenohumeral flexion (FLX), abduction (ABD), internal/external rotation (IR/ER), and extension (EXT) were measured using a goniometer, and a Biodex ISK dynamometer was used to assess ISK average peak torque (PT), total work (TW), and average power (AP) during glenohumeral FLX/EXT, ABD/adduction, and IR/ER. Separate one-way ANOVAs were used to assess main effect of condition for each variable. Self-reported perceptions of being warmed-up, or fatigued, and enjoyment were assessed using a Likert scale from 1-10. Friedman’s tests were utilized to assess main effect of condition for these variables. The p-value was set at <0.05. RESULTS: IR active range of motion was significantly higher with ICS (61.3 ± 9.6°) when compared to CON (54.5 ± 11.7°) and DB (56.9 ± 11.9°). PT for ISK FLX at 60°·sec-1 was significantly higher for both ICS (39.4 ± 12.5°) and CON (40 ± 9.8°) when compared to DB (36.8 ± 9.9°). TW during ISK FLX at 60°·sec-1 was significantly higher for both ICS (364.6 ± 119.8°) and CON (354.8 ± 101.8°) when compared to DB (333.8 ± 100.4°). AP for ISK FLX at 60°·sec-1 was significantly higher for ICS (27.3 ± 9.4°) and CON (26.6 ± 8.0°) when compared to DB (24.9 ± 8.2°). TW for ISK INT at 180°·sec-1 was significantly higher for ICS (320.9 ± 94.2°) and CON (322.1 ± 81.3°) when compared to DB (292.6 ± 76.4°). AP for ISK INT at 180°·sec-1 was significantly higher for ICS (65.4 ± 22.4°) and CON (65.7 ± 19.4°) when compared to DB (59.8 ± 17.5°). CONCLUSION: ICS can be used to provide external load during a standardized upper-extremity warm-up to elicit a positive response in shoulder mobility, strength, endurance, and power.