OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of scapular stabilization during horizontal adduction stretching (cross-body) on posterior shoulder tightness (PST) and passive internal rotation (IR). DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with single blinding. SETTING: Athletic club. PARTICIPANTS: Asymptomatic volleyball players who are women with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (n = 60). INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomly assigned to either horizontal adduction stretching with manual scapular stabilization (n = 30) or horizontal adduction stretching without stabilization (n = 30). Passive stretching was performed for 3- to 30-second holds in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Range of motion measurements of PST and IR were performed on the athlete's dominant shoulder prior to and immediately after the intervention. RESULTS: Baseline mean angular measurements of PST and IR for all athletes involved in the study were 62 degrees +/- 14 and 40 degrees +/- 10, respectively, with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.598 and p = 0.734, respectively). Mean PST measurements were significantly different between groups after the horizontal adduction stretch, with a mean angle of 83 degrees +/- 17 among the scapular stabilization group and 65 degrees +/- 13 among the nonstabilization group (p < 0.001). Measurements of IR were also significantly different between groups, with a mean angle of 51 degrees +/- 14 among the scapular stabilization group and 43 degrees +/- 9 among the nonstabilization group (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Horizontal adduction stretches performed with scapular stabilization produced significantly greater improvements in IR and PST than horizontal adduction stretching without scapular stabilization.

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