Shouldering the load in sport

Editorial: The shoulder complex is often seen as a challenging area to manage in sports and exercise medicine. The extreme range of movement arising from the glenohumeral joint must be played off against the stability required to prevent injury. The muscles and ligaments of the shoulder joint are in constant interplay to ensure that stability. The combination of passive bony and soft tissue constraints work in concert with the dynamic stability provided by the rotator cuff and scapular muscles. The shoulder is responsible for so much in sport. It provides the mobility to ensure the full aesthetics of upper limb movement and positioning in sports and activities such as gymnastic, ballet, and figure skating, yet must also provide the stability around the upper limb for sports such as weightlifting and rowing. No wonder it is so complex to manage.