Purpose: Shoulder pain is a common complaint among professional goalkeepers. The aim of the study was to examine and compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of some shoulder girdle muscles between professional goalkeepers with and without Shoulder pain. For the comparison, we relied on a standardised, low-load functional task for the upper limb.

Methods: Fourteen professional male goalkeepers with unilateral mechanical shoulder pain participated; 14 pain-free players served as controls. All came from first- or second-division clubs, matched by age, anthropometrics, playing level. Surface EMG recorded activity in seven muscles : the upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), middle deltoid (MD), latissimus dorsi (LD) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM). Players performed a validated low-load task. EMG amplitude was expressed as root mean square values referred to maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC). Group differences were examined with MANOVA and Bonferroni correction.

Results: Goalkeepers with shoulder pain showed significantly higher activation in UT (28 ± 10 vs 13 ± 6 %MVC, p < 0.001), SA (24.35 ± 11.20 vs 14.10 ± 7.02 %MVC, p = 0.008), and LD (24.08 ± 10.02 vs 8.10 ± 5.93 %MVC, p < 0.001). No differences emerged for MT, LT, MD, or SCM.

Conclusion: A scapulothoracic activation pattern that leans differently appears linked with shoulder pain in goalkeepers. Upper trapezius and latissimus dorsi take on greater roles, serratus anterior increases as well, yet the rise seems compensatory and probably falls short. Similar profiles have turned up among swimmers and overhead athletes in general. These observations suggest adding targeted scapular-stabiliser retraining to programs aimed at goalkeeper rehabilitation and injury prevention.