Final answer:
The most common shoulder injury encountered by fitness professionals is a rotator cuff tear, which often results from repetitive overhead activities and may require treatment ranging from physical therapy to surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the most common shoulder injuries that a fitness professional will come across is a rotator cuff tear.
Shoulder injuries are prevalent due to the repetitive use of the upper limb, especially in actions such as throwing, swimming, or any racquet sports, which can result in various issues, including acute or chronic inflammation of the bursa or muscle tendons, and tears of the rotator cuff.
The rotator cuff is essential for shoulder joint stability, comprised of tendons from the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles. These injures commonly affect athletes like baseball pitchers or anyone engaging in activities involving repetitive overhead motions. Injury can cause the rotator cuff to become pinched and inflamed, potentially leading to a tear from the bone. Diagnosis and treatment by a specialist may range from physical therapy exercises to surgery, depending on the severity.