A 2026 study found reduced dominant-arm shoulder range of motion in uninjured elite tennis players, offering clinicians new baseline metrics for racquet athletes.
On October 1, 2026, the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy published new research detailing shoulder mobility differences in high-level racquet athletes. A cross-sectional observational study revealed that uninjured elite tennis players exhibit significantly less passive shoulder horizontal-adduction range of motion in their dominant arms. The findings give coaches and clinicians a specific, measurable shoulder asymmetry to monitor during routine physical assessments and training blocks.
The observational study was authored by Todd S. Ellenbecker, Glenn Harrison Smith, and Zach Bornholtz. The research team evaluated a substantial cohort of 317 uninjured elite tennis players to gather their data. This group included 178 male athletes and 139 female athletes. Researchers focused their attention on a specific clinical metric known as passive shoulder horizontal-adduction range of motion, which is frequently abbreviated as HADD ROM.
To ensure accuracy, all measurements were taken by a physiotherapist during a single session for each participant. The athletes lay supine while the clinician stabilized the shoulder blade to isolate the joint movement. The physiotherapist then passively moved the arm across the body to the first point of resistance without applying any overpressure. A digital inclinometer was used to record the exact angles for both the dominant and non-dominant arms.
According to the authors, the observed reduction in dominant-arm HADD ROM may reflect chronic adaptations in posterior shoulder structures. These localized changes are likely associated with the intense, repeated demands of tennis training and elite skill development. However, the researchers noted that this specific observational setup did not directly establish the exact physiological mechanism behind the difference.
The authors state that these detailed measurements may help clinicians better interpret HADD ROM in uninjured elite players. Understanding these baseline measurements could effectively inform future preventive screening and rehabilitation protocols. By knowing what structural adaptations exist in healthy athletes, medical professionals can make more informed decisions when treating actual shoulder complaints. Attempting to force a dominant shoulder to perfectly match a non-dominant shoulder might be counterproductive for an elite competitor.
The researchers provided a clear view into how these deficits present across different player profiles. Across all the male participants, dominant-arm HADD ROM averaged 7.58° less than non-dominant-arm ROM. For the female participants, the average deficit in the dominant arm was smaller but still clearly measurable at 3.80°. The dominant-arm measurement was consistently lower in every reported sex and age group, with group differences ranging from 3.55° to 8.15°.
Age played a highly statistically significant role among the male athletes in the study. Among male players aged 18 to 30, the average dominant-arm deficit reached 8.15°. This was a marked increase compared to the 4.69° difference observed among male junior players. The data confirmed that the mobility gap between these two male age groups was statistically significant.
Conversely, the female age-group comparison did not yield a statistically significant difference. The average shoulder mobility difference was 3.95° among female juniors and 3.55° among female players aged 18 to 30. The authors specified that these measurements document a clear side-to-side difference in uninjured players rather than establishing a direct cause for injury. The presence of a measurable deficit did not correlate with any current physical dysfunction in the subjects.
The study participants were exclusively elite players, including elite juniors and adult professional or collegiate athletes. The authors explicitly caution that these findings are not generalizable to other levels of tennis. For adult recreational players, attempting to apply these reported averages to their own bodies would go far beyond the current evidence. The daily volume of professional training creates specific physical adaptations that a weekend league player will likely never experience.
It is crucial for recreational players to understand that an asymmetry does not automatically predict future injury. The study documents a side-to-side difference in a group of completely uninjured elite players, but it does not establish that reduced HADD ROM is necessarily harmful. Elite tennis players clearly function at a world-class level with these reported mobility deficits. A recreational player might experience discomfort from a much smaller imbalance, which is why individual mobility and stroke mechanics must always be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
A practical takeaway for adult players is to avoid using this study as a self-test or a definitive injury diagnosis. You should not assume that a tight dominant shoulder is perfectly normal just because elite athletes show similar traits. Instead, treat your own shoulder mobility as one possible metric to discuss with a qualified clinician. If shoulder symptoms arise during play, seeking individualized clinical assessment is always the most effective approach.
Recreational players should focus on maintaining healthy joint function rather than chasing perfect physical symmetry. Comparing active mobility stretching and loaded range of motion techniques can help adult athletes find practical ways to maintain their capabilities. The goal for everyday players is healthy aging, ensuring they can keep playing tennis, pickleball, or padel for years to come. Maintaining practical mobility, stability and joint health matters far more than matching the exact inclinometer readings of a touring professional.
The elite athlete sample in this study was assessed exactly once, meaning the research did not follow players over time or test any specific intervention. Because of this single-session design, the study cannot show whether the asymmetry develops gradually as players train, changes with age, or responds to physical therapy treatment. The authors call for longitudinal surveillance to better understand how these specific shoulder changes evolve over an athlete's career. Over the next few seasons, the sports medicine community will likely focus on tracking elite juniors as they transition to the professional tour to see exactly when these structural adaptations solidify.
Follow Evercourts for practical insights on tennis, pickleball and padel performance, movement, recovery and healthy ageing. Stay connected for new articles, research-led guidance and ideas to help you play well and keep playing for years.
An evidence check on sports supplements like tart cherry juice. Learn why racquet sports players should prioritize core nutrition over functional foods.
In late 2026, Oura analyzed wearable data to see how recreational tennis impacts heart health and recovery. Learn what this means for your athletic longevity.
Recent guidelines emphasize gradual progression, dynamic warm-ups, and scheduled recovery to help adult racquet sports players maintain athletic longevity.
Read practical guidance for better movement, smarter preparation and a game that keeps working for you.
explore the Blog
