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Running head: THE INNOVATIVE SHOULDER BRACE

The Innovative Shoulder Brace

Shubh Patel
Harrison High School
December 2018
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Abstract

Many athletes who play sports such as baseball and tennis suffer from rotator cuff injuries. For

my science fair project, I am trying to create an innovative shoulder brace that is flexible and

smooth to use with specific exercises that can be useful to the athlete. Various articles explain

how researchers have been using various tests on rotator injuries but had never used their own

personal device. Some of the ideas that I will use for this project is to first specify which position

my brace will be useful for and how much can the shoulder can extend with the brace. Also I

would have to make a flexible design that can be used for anyone who wears the brace. This

project can benefit athletes who repetitively use shoulder muscles, and it can also have a positive

impact for the future. Once I am complete with my brace, I can give a proposal to other physical

therapists for use of the brace.

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Running head: THE INNOVATIVE SHOULDER BRACE

The Innovative Shoulder Brace

The Innovative Shoulder Brace will be able to help adapt people with rotator cuff injuries,

specifically athletes. Rotator cuff injuries are very popular in sports such as baseball and tennis,

and a shoulder brace could be necessary for rehabilitation after rotator cuff surgery. In this

project, I am trying to study whether or not my innovative shoulder brace can help people with

rotator cuff injuries and also help them to create tension with abduction exercises. A very famous

research study was conducted to determine static and dynamic exercises for javelin throwers.

Those researchers wanted to determine many internal and external rotations and record shoulder

pathology. Although many of these studies had used no type of brace or stability to help with that

tension shown. Therefore, I believe that my device will help reduce the number of rotator cuff

injuries. Also, my device will be able to help with creating tension with doing abduction

exercises and different resistance between the device and other components.

Literature Review

A physical therapy research study was conducted on how static and dynamic shoulder

adaptations work with javelin throwers (Edward, Damotte, Lance, Degache and Camels, 2013).

The researchers wanted to establish internal and external rotation strengths in adolescent and

national Olympic level players. None of the players had musculoskeletal pain and injury during

the research and had no past record of shoulder pathology and weakness in activity. The side
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effects of both sides of testing did not have a significant impact in how they use the sticks.

However, a minor change was shown in the lower internal rotation and significantly higher

external rotation in the JTG (Joint Test Group). The study in both adolescent and professional

javelin players reports static and dynamic shoulder adaptations near the internal rotation.

From a specific research study in Washington State, a group of researchers gathered

information to identify high-risk industries for rotator cuff disorders (Silverstein, Welp, Nelson

and Kalat, 1998). The volunteers participated in various exercises in different groups. The first

exercise dealt with people who had carpal tunnel syndrome and seeing the various effects. The

second exercise that was performed involved abstracting medical records from 100 random

claims from 1995 with people that have carpal tunnel syndrome. 98 people were diagnosed as

gradual onset hand and wrist disorders. From the data during the periods of 1987-1995, the

researchers declared that 30468 people were coded with hand and wrist disorders and about

55315 people were coded with specific shoulder disorders. In​ ​the future the research could be

able to change up the different stages they can test.

Another example of examined rotator cuff injuries was a study conducted by the Genome

Wide Association (Roos, Et al., 2017). In the article, Genome-Wide Association study identifies

a focus associated with rotator cuff injury. It explained a base understanding how genome wide

studies were performed with rotator cuff injury. They detected injuries by putting a screen over

the injury. Next, they used data from the genetic epidemiology research on adult health. After the

screening was complete, the researchers had to analyze the proper injury and evaluate it for the

rest of the volunteers. This data helped show the specific genomes given in various collections.
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Another research study gathered information for a better understanding of many

significant shoulder risk factors (Meyer and Ward, 2016). About 28 patients were admitted with

post trauma anterior of the shoulder and were split into two groups. From the data received, “the

number of pre-operative’s dislocations and rate of anterior translation observed during

preoperative examination did not adversely affect post-operative outcomes” (Meyer and Ward,

2016). This conclusion was similar to the javelin study and how the groups were separated from

athletic and non-athletic people. This was the only study that required a proper screening and the

data was recorded from that.

In the two articles about the Washington group (Silverstein, Welp, Nelson and Kalat,

1998) and static javelin thrower groups. Both groups had wanted to identify the disorders and

strength of the people in various jobs. Also, both of the studies were separated between athletic

and non-athletic, and groups of people who lived in the Washington area. But some of the major

differences shown with the two studies was the way they did their testing. From that data

collection of the javelin throwers it had given an understanding of their rotator cuff injury.

However, the study from the genome wide association (Roos, Etal., 2017) was very different to

what the other studies were doing. The reason why this study was different was because the

association had the group of people doing a screening for their rotator cuff injuries. The

screening was there to help give guidance to which the rotator cuff injury was shown. However,

with all these studies something that all the projects had in common were that they did not have a

brace or a type of protection to help them with there testing. That is why in my project I want to

have a brace that can help with abduction exercises.

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Methodology
The research question​: Can the innovative shoulder brace be used to help prevent rotator cuff

injuries? Will my future device be able to be used for other occupations besides athletics?

The hypothesis​: If the innovative shoulder brace is successful, then I strongly believe that my

new device will help reduce the number of rotator cuff injuries. Sports such as swimming or

baseball players are good examples of people that have problems at the shoulder. These certain

athletes need a quick recovery to get back to participating in their sport. Another example of

athletes using my brace is to help create tension with abduction exercises and see how much can

be created with various exercises.

The engineering goals​: I will create a shoulder brace that helps reduce the injuries an athlete

has. I will do this by trying to make a flexible brace to help prevent rotator cuff injuries. Also, I

will give a better demonstration of how much tension and stress the person has exerts and select

specific abduction exercises that can help create that tension after one is rehabilitated.

The expected outcomes​: I expect the device will help reduce the occurrence of rotator cuff

injuries. I also expect the device will help provide an advantage over other braces. I also expect

that the brace’s true purpose can help create tension for abduction exercises. Furthermore, I

expect the brace in the future to help other athletes such as baseball or tennis players.

Procedure​:
1. Begin to wrap the waist brace around the waist and making sure the buckle is in the

middle of the brace

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2. Setup the Shoulder brace

a. first put hand in small hole near side area

b. wrap back the wrap on the other side to connect with right side wrap and connect

pieces

c. get the right side wrap and wrap to the top of the brace near the shoulder buckle

d. optionally, person can use a hot or cold pack to help with persons personal needs

upon exercise

3. connect the buckles from the shoulder brace and waist brace and connect

a. the point of the waist to connect is so that can help create posture for specific

exercises (scapula setting, trapezius setting, bent over abduction)

4. Apply resistance band to the brace

a. start by putting the band on the top of the shoulder brace

b. make sure both clips on at bottom of the band

c. then wrap both clips around themselves the opposite way leading the clips the

middle

d. attach both clips together so they are around the buckle area

5. Make sure the brace is tightly attached to the waist brace and resistance band is

completely wrapped

6. If the resistance band is not properly wrapped tightly, then try to use a different weight

band
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7. *When doing exercises such as Internal and External rotation, it can depend on the band

that is being chosen. (Refer to the materials list and #7 for types of bands to exercise with

assistance

Materials​:
● 1 Mcdavid waist trimmer (Level 1 Primary)

● BCG Adjustable shoulder wrap with hot/cold packs

○ Hot and Cold packs are optional (Contains 2 packs)

● 1 Fitness gear pro 10 lbs. Resistance Tube

○ Resistance tube lbs. can vary upon a person’s resistance

● 1 Buckle clip

○ Will be used to keep the waist and shoulder brace together

● Sowing String

○ Used to help connect both ends of the buckle and also to help create a side

opening on shoulder side

● 1 20” inch black strap

○ Cut into pieces to attach to the buckles

● 1 Fitness gear Advanced Power Bands

○ The set of bands come in 3 different colors depending on resistance. The band

colors are red, blue, grey. I chose the red band for my own personal strength.

Data Analysis
​Each exercise was conducted with the brace on as well as the resistance band. Tension of the

exercise is measured is on a 1-5 scale, 1 being less tension and 5 being highly tensioned. The
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data table under the pictures will help give a better example. Also the way to determine whether

or not the exercise was a failure was if I was not strong enough to complete the exercise or the

resistance band was moving out of its normal place or was not strong enough to do so. The way

to count a success was by seeing the band was in place, I myself was practically able to do the

exercise, and if I felt tension after the exercise.

Internal Rotation

Table 1

Before Internal Rotation After Internal Rotation

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Scapula Setting

Table 2

Before Scapula Setting After Scapula Setting

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External Rotation

Table 3
Before External Rotation After External Rotation
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Bent Over Abduction

Table 4
Before Bent over Abduction After Bent over Abduction
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Trapezius Setting

Table 5
These pictures represent Trapezius Setting and display front and side views
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Discussion and Results

After many trials and exercises, I believe that my brace is successful for people with

rotator cuff injuries and for abduction exercises during rehabilitation. All 5 abduction exercises

created tension during the sets and repetitions. These 5 exercises were called internal rotation,

external rotation, bent over abduction, trapezius setting, and scapula setting. Out of the 5

exercises, only 1 exercise was considered a failure to me. That exercise was bent over abduction

because of my personal strength. However, the other 4 exercises were a success because I was

able to complete the exercise with my personal strength and the resistance band was not falling

out of position for a specific exercise. In the beginning of each set from an exercise, the tension

levels would be very low from my perspective, and at the end of a final set I would feel increased

tension being carried from the previous sets. For example, when I was doing internal rotation, I

would rate the tension level to 2 because I felt some tension, but at the end of the third set I felt a

4 because of the previous tensions which affects my personal strength. But when I did external

rotation, I was at a constant 4 for sets 2 and 3, but for set 1, my tension level was a 3. This was

the same as well as with the trapezius setting. My tension levels had started at a 3 and stayed
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constant for sets 2 and 3. Those 2 exercises were a success as well. Finally, the scapula setting

was done under 1 full set and increments of 1 repetition for 10 seconds. In beginning of the first

2 repetitions, I had started at a 2 and gradually progressed to stay constant at a 5 from the 7th

“trial.” However this exercise was also a success and created tension over a period of time. The

best exercise to help create tension for an abduction exercise was the trapezius setting. It helps

someone by starting with some tension at the start and later creates more tension as someone

goes on. Another exercise that I would recommend is internal rotation. Because it can help start

off slow and gradually increase the personal strength. Although I used a 10 lbs. resistance tube, if

anyone uses another type of resistance, the results of tension will change because of someone’s

personal strength. This also goes to be the same for people doing the internal and external

rotation exercise. Even though I used the red band, others might want to use the blue or grey to

help create their own tension and strength. Some of the next steps for the brace is to make a tool

that can help attach the resistance band together to the brace and see if there is a drastic change.

Also, I would like to try the brace on other people who do have rotator cuff injuries and see if my

brace can help create tension for others. However some of the next steps to this project are to

create another prototype that is made from scratch and see the results. From those results I would

like to contact with other athletic trainers as well as professional doctors that would need a brace

for patients.
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References
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2017). Orthoinfo. Rotator cuff and shoulder
conditioning program.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/globalassets/pdfs/2017-rehab_shoulder.pdf
Basat HC, Akan B (2013) Original Article Comparing Effect of Sports Activity on Arthroscopic
Treatment of Shoulder Instability. J Nov Physiother S2: 004.
doi:10.4172/2165-7025.S2-004
Edouard, P., Damotte, A., Lance, G., Degache, F., & Calmels, P. (2013). Static and dynamic
shoulder stabilizer adaptations in javelin throwers: A preliminary study. Isokinetics &
Exercise Science, 21(1), 47-55.
Lu W, Liu H, Wang D (2016) A Novel Arthroscopic Mclaughlin Procedure for Rotator Cuff
Repair in Patients with the Osteoporotic Major Tubercle: A Minimum of 6 Years Follow
Up. J Sports Med Doping Stud 6: 184. doi:10.4172/2161-0673.1000184
Roos, T. R., Roos, A. K., Avins, A. L., Ahmed, M. A., Kleimeyer, J. P., Fredericson, M., & ...
Kim, S. K. (2017). Genome-wide association study identifies a locus associated with
rotator cuff injury. Plos ONE, 12(12), 1-15. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0189317
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