<b>Sports-Specific Core and Thoracic Mobility Training Versus General Physiotherapy on Scapulothoracic Mechanics and Shoulder Function in Young Football Players After Chest Wall Surgery: A 12-Week Randomized Controlled Trial</b>

Background: Young football players recovering from chest wall surgery may experience reduced thoracic mobility, altered scapulothoracic mechanics, and impaired shoulder function, which can limit functional rehabilitation and sport-specific recovery. Objective: To compare the effects of sports-specific core and thoracic mobility training with general physiotherapy on scapulothoracic mechanics, thoracic mobility, and shoulder function in young football players after chest wall surgery. Methods: This parallel-group randomized controlled trial enrolled 70 young football players who had undergone chest wall surgery and were medically cleared for rehabilitation. Participants were randomized into an experimental group receiving sports-specific core and thoracic mobility training or a control group receiving general physiotherapy for 12 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using paired comparisons, between-group comparisons, ANCOVA adjusted for baseline values, and multiple linear regression. Results: Sixty-five participants completed the study. Shoulder function improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (19.1 vs. 10.6 points), as did thoracic mobility (10.6 vs. 5.4 points) and scapulothoracic control, expressed as reduction in dysfunction score (1.5 vs. 0.9 points). Adjusted analysis favored the experimental group for shoulder function, thoracic mobility, and scapulothoracic mechanics. Conclusion: Sports-specific core and thoracic mobility training produced greater short-term improvement than general physiotherapy in shoulder function, thoracic mobility, and scapulothoracic control after chest wall surgery