Assessment Of Scapular Dyskinesia In Manual Working Farmers

Background: Farming is a physically demanding occupation that places workers at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to repetitive motions, awkward postures, and heavy manual labor. Scapular dyskinesia, a biomechanical alteration of scapular motion, is often overlooked as a cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction. Aim: To assess the prevalence of scapular dyskinesia in manual working farmers aged 25–35 years using the Scapular Slide Test (SST). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 166 manual working farmers (87 females, 79 males) in Panvel, Navi Mumbai. Participants aged 25–35 years with ≥10 years of farming experience, working ≥6 days/week for ≥8 hours/day, were included. Scapular dyskinesia was assessed using the Scapular Slide Test at four shoulder abduction angles (45°, 90°, 120°, and 150°). A difference of >1.5 inches between scapular positions was considered positive. Data were analyzed using SPSS v20.0 with descriptive statistics. Results: The mean age of participants was 29.05 ± 3.39 years. Right-hand dominance was seen in 98.8% of participants. Scapular dyskinesia was identified in 10.8% of farmers, while 89.2% demonstrated normal scapular motion. Gender-wise, 52.4% of participants were female and 47.6% were male. Conclusion: The prevalence of scapular dyskinesia among manual working farmers was found to be 10.8%. Although the majority had normal scapular function, repetitive and strenuous farm work poses a risk for scapular dysfunction and musculoskeletal disorders. Early screening, ergonomic interventions, and strengthening programs are recommended to minimize the risk of shoulder injuries and improve functional efficiency in farmers.