| Participation in whitewater kayaking is growing faster than any other outdoor recreational pursuit. With increases in participation, an increase in the number of injuries associated with whitewater kayaking may also become apparent. Overuse injuries are the most prevalent type of injury found in whitewater kayakers. Due the large range of motion and forces that occur through the shoulder while kayaking, the most common injury location is the shoulder. Little scientific inquiry has been performed assessing the kinematics of kayaking and the musculoskeletal attributes of these athletes.;The most common type of injury found was related to overuse. Statistical comparisons occurred between the involved and uninvolved limb in the shoulder pain group and between the involved and uninvolved and matching shoulders in the control group, respectively. Significant differences were found between in involved and uninvolved shoulder for shoulder internal rotation and abduction range of motion. Additional differences were found for these variables between the involved shoulder in the pain group and the matching shoulder in the control group.;Kayakers with shoulder pain present with decreased shoulder range of motion on their involved shoulder. Assessment of the specific types of injuries seen in whitewater kayakers should be further evaluated. Additionally, the role of increasing range of motion through injury prevention programs in whitewater kayakers with shoulder pain should be investigated.;Sixteen whitewater kayakers with shoulder pain and sixteen whitewater kayakers without shoulder pain participated in this study. Each subject underwent kinematic and electromyographic analysis of the forward kayak stroke. Additionally, participants underwent clinical examination of shoulder injury, clinical assessment of shoulder and torso range of motion, posterior shoulder tightness assessment, isokinetic strength testing at the shoulder, and a scapular kinematic evaluation during a standardized humeral elevation task. |
