[en] Sports activity involving the upper limb implies some powerful movements leading to the development of specific adaptations of the shoulder. These adaptive patterns increase the risk of injury. Shoulder rehabilitation in athletes should be guided by the results of a specific physical examination of the shoulder.
In this article we propose an original evaluative form specifically designed for the athletic shoulder which takes into consideration the morphostatic and physical features as well as the possible bilateral asymmetries. The functional evaluation includes measurement of range of motion, flexibility, isometric muscle strength, position and motion patterns of the scapula. Progress achieved during rehabilitation programs can be monitored with successive evaluations which are helpful for determining the most suitable treatment.