Neuromuscular and stiffness adaptations in division I collegiate baseball players

AbstractThis study’s purpose was to evaluate total, regional, and throwing versus non-throwing arm body composition measurements between various positions of NCAA Division I male baseball players using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Two hundred and one collegiate baseball athletes were measured using DXA. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), total and regional fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured. Athletes were separated into: pitchers (n=92), catchers (n=25), outfielders (n=43), and infielders (n=41). ANOVA and Tukey’s honest significant difference assessed total and regional differences between positions. Infielders had significantly (p<0.05) lower total LM than pitchers and outfielders. Additionally, outfielders had significantly lower total FM compared to pitchers and catchers. No significant differences between positions were observed for total BMD and VAT. Pitchers’ and infielders’ throwing arm demonstrated significantly greater total mass, FM, LM, and BMD compared to the non-throwing arm. Further, outfielders’ throwing arm total mass, LM, and BMD were significantly higher vs. the non-throwing arm. Significant differences were observed in total and regional body composition measurements across position, in addition to differences in throwing arm vs. non-throwing arm composition. These measurement values are important to coaches and trainers as normative positional DXA data for collegiate baseball players.

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Pressures Exerted on the Hook of the Hamate in Collegiate Baseball Players: A Comparison of Grips, With Emphasis on Fracture Prevention

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/23259671211045043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 232596712110450

Author(s):

Mikhail Alexeev ◽

Steven M. Kane ◽

Gary M. Lourie

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Force Sensor ◽

Fracture Prevention ◽

Division I ◽

Maximum Pressure ◽

Laptop Computer ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Collegiate Baseball

Background: Variations in batting technique may put baseball players at increased risk of hook of the hamate fractures. A better comprehension of the mechanism of such fractures is needed. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of the study was to compare 2 different grip types to quantify the pressures exerted on the hook of the hamate during batting. It was hypothesized that when compared with the conventional batting style, players holding the knob of the bat in the palm of the hand (termed the “palmar hamate grip”) would have higher pressures exerted on the hook of the hamate. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Athletes were recruited for participation on a volunteer basis from the rosters of 2 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball teams and were divided into 2 groups based on their usual grip type. A force sensor system was applied to the nondominant hand of each participating player, with the central portion of the sensing mechanism placed on the batting glove directly over the hook of the hamate. All players used the same batting glove, which transmitted data from the sensor to a laptop computer. Measurements were collected on consecutive hits at a standardized distance using a ball machine at 70 mph. Results: Nine collegiate baseball players underwent testing (5 players exclusively used the conventional grip, 3 players exclusively used the palmar hamate grip, and 1 player naturally alternated between the 2 grip types). The palmar hamate grip demonstrated a 366% increase in pressure exerted on the sensor overlying the hook of the hamate when compared with the conventional batting grip (536.42 kPa [95% confidence interval, 419.39-653.44 kPa] vs 115.84 kPa [95% confidence interval, 96.97-135.10 kPa]). The player who used both grips demonstrated significantly higher maximum pressure when using the palmar hamate versus conventional grip (482.90 vs 142.40 kPa; t = 6.95; P < .0001). Conclusion: Use of the palmar hamate grip may increase the risk of hook of the hamate fracture in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball players. Clinical Relevance: Educating players on the risks associated with the palmar hamate grip may prevent injury and minimize time out of competition.

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Incidence Of Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery In Collegiate Baseball Players

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967119s00310 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (7_suppl5) ◽

pp. 2325967119S0031

Author(s):

Marcus A. Rothermich ◽

Stan A. Conte ◽

Glenn S. Fleisig ◽

E. Lyle Cain ◽

Jeffrey R. Dugas

Keyword(s):

Ncaa Division I ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽

Progressive Increase ◽

Division I ◽

Collateral Ligament ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Collegiate Baseball ◽

Internal Brace ◽

Surgical Injuries

Objectives: Recent studies in the literature have highlighted the progressive increase in the incidence of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries to the elbow in baseball players of all levels. However, knowledge of the incidence and other epidemiological factors regarding UCL injuries, specifically in college baseball players, is currently lacking. In 2016, we launched a prospective, multi-year study to evaluate the incidence of UCL injuries requiring surgery in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I baseball programs. Methods: We invited 157 Division I collegiate baseball programs after the 2017 season, and 155 agreed to participate in the study. After the 2018 season, all 297 programs were invited and 294 participated. At the conclusion of the 2017 and 2018 collegiate baseball seasons, the athletic trainer for each program entered anonymous, detailed information on injured players through an electronic survey into a secured database. Results: We obtained a 100% completion rate in the first two years of this ongoing study (155/155 respondents in the first year, 294/294 in the second year). Of the 5,364 collegiate baseball players tracked in Year 1 (2016-2017), 134 underwent surgery for an injured UCL, resulting in a team surgery rate of 0.86 per program. In Year 2 (2017-2018), there were 230 surgeries reported from 10,019 players tracked, resulting in a team surgery rate of 0.78 per program. A majority of schools experienced at least one surgery during both years (56.8% in Year 1, 50.7% in Year 2). Pitchers experience a vast majority of the surgical injuries (85.8% in Year 1, 84.3% in Year 2). Underclassmen made up 65.7% of surgeries in Year 1, which fell slightly to 56.1% in Year 2. Nearly half of the surgeries occurred during an ongoing baseball season in Year 1 (48.5%), but this fell in Year 2 to 41.3%. In both years, a non-significant majority of players were from warm-weather states (65.4% in Year 1, 52.9% in Year 2). Revision surgical rates remained nearly constant with 3.0% revision surgeries in Year 1 compared with 2.6% revisions in Year 2. Interestingly, the percentage of UCL repairs with internal brace augmentation rose from 9.5% in Year 1 to 19.9% of all procedures in Year 2. Conclusion: The incidence of UCL surgeries in NCAA Division I collegiate baseball players represents substantial morbidity to this young athletic population. This multi-year prospective study has been established to assess the incidence of surgical UCL injuries in collegiate baseball. Also, importantly, with multiple years of data we will identify trends in the demographics of players undergoing surgery and in surgical details over time. Awareness of these factors should be considered in injury prevention programs in the future.

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Change in Glenohumeral Rotation and Scapular Position After a Division I Collegiate Baseball Season

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.22.2.115 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 115-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Stephen John Thomas ◽

Charles B. Swanik ◽

Kathleen Swanik ◽

John D. Kelly

Keyword(s):

Outcome Measures ◽

External Rotation ◽

Division I ◽

Laboratory Setting ◽

Anterior Instability ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Elbow Injury ◽

Type Design ◽

Dependent Variables ◽

Collegiate Baseball

Context:Pathologies such as anterior instability and impingement are common in baseball and have been linked to decreases in internal-rotation (IR) motion and concurrent increases in external-rotation (ER) motion. In addition, alterations to scapular upward rotation have been identified in this population.Objective:To measure glenohumeral (GH) IR and ER rotation, total range of motion (ROM), and scapular upward rotation throughout the course of a Division I collegiate baseball season.Design:Pretest to posttest study.Setting:Controlled laboratory setting.Participants:Thirty-one collegiate baseball players with no current shoulder or elbow injury completed this study.Intervention:Participants were measured for all dependent variables at preseason and postseason.Main Outcome Measures:GH IR and ER were measured supine with the scapula stabilized. Total GH ROM was calculated as the sum of IR and ER measures. Scapular upward rotation was tested at rest, 60°, 90°, and 120° of GH abduction in the scapular plane.Results:Overall, the dominant arm had significantly less GH IR and significantly more ER than the nondominant arm. The total motion on the dominant arm was significantly less than on the nondominant arm. No significant differences were observed from preseason to postseason for IR, ER, or total motion. Dominant-arm scapular upward rotation significantly decreased at 60°, 90°, and 120° of abduction from preseason to postseason.Conclusion:Collegiate baseball players presented with significant GH-motion differences (decreases in IR and increases in ER) in their dominant arm compared with their nondominant arm. There was also significantly less total motion on the dominant arm. After 12 wk of competitive Division I collegiate baseball, there were significant decreases in upward rotation over the season.

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Incidence of Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery in Collegiate Baseball Players

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967118764657 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 232596711876465 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Marcus A. Rothermich ◽

Stan A. Conte ◽

Kyle T. Aune ◽

Glenn S. Fleisig ◽

E. Lyle Cain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ncaa Division I ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽

Initial Study ◽

Division I ◽

Cold Weather ◽

Collateral Ligament ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Electronic Survey ◽

Collegiate Baseball

Background: Recent reports have highlighted the progressive increase in the incidence of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries to the elbow in baseball players of all levels. However, knowledge of the incidence and other epidemiological factors regarding UCL injuries, specifically in college baseball players, is currently lacking. Purpose: To evaluate, over a period of 1 year, the incidence of UCL injuries requiring surgery in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I baseball programs. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: A total of 155 Division I collegiate baseball programs agreed to participate in the study. Demographics (position, year, background [location of high school]) for all players on these rosters were obtained from public websites. At the conclusion of the 2017 collegiate baseball season, the athletic trainer for each program entered anonymous, detailed information on injured players through an electronic survey into a secured database. Results: All 155 teams enrolled in the study completed the electronic survey. Of the 5295 collegiate baseball players on these rosters, 134 underwent surgery for an injured UCL (2.5% of all eligible athletes), resulting in a team surgery rate of 0.86 per program for 1 year. These 134 players came from 88 teams, thus 56.8% of the study teams underwent at least 1 surgery during the year. The surgery rate was 2.5 per 100 player-seasons for all players and was significantly higher among pitchers (4.4/100 player-seasons) than nonpitchers (0.7/100 player-seasons). The surgery rate was also significantly higher in underclassmen (3.1/100 player-seasons among freshmen and sophomores) than upperclassmen (1.9/100 player-seasons among juniors and seniors) (incidence rate ratio, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4). Players from traditionally warm-weather states did not undergo UCL surgery at a significantly different rate from players from traditionally cold-weather states (2.7/100 player-seasons vs 2.1/100 player-seasons, respectively). Nearly half of surgeries (48.5%) were performed during the baseball season. Conclusion: The incidence of UCL surgeries in NCAA Division I collegiate baseball players represents substantial morbidity to this young athletic population. Risk factors for injuries requiring surgery include being a pitcher and an underclassman. Awareness of these factors should be considered in injury prevention programs. Furthermore, this initial study can serve as a foundation for tracking these surgical injuries in future years and then identifying trends over time.

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Short-Term Trends in Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery in Collegiate Baseball Players: An Analysis of 25,587 Player-Years

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/23259671211016846 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 232596712110168

Author(s):

Marcus A. Rothermich ◽

Glenn S. Fleisig ◽

Stan A. Conte ◽

Karen M. Hart ◽

E. Lyle Cain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽

Division I ◽

Cold Weather ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Collateral Ligament ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Electronic Survey ◽

Collegiate Baseball ◽

Surgical Injuries

Background: Trends over time in the incidence of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgeries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball players are currently unknown. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the trends in UCL surgeries over 3 years in Division I baseball programs. We hypothesized that surgical injuries would be consistently high over the course of the study. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Athletic trainers from Division I baseball programs were invited to participate in an electronic survey over 3 seasons. A total of 155 baseball programs agreed to participate in 2017, 294 programs participated in 2018, and 296 programs participated in 2019. After each of the 3 collegiate baseball seasons, the athletic trainer from each program entered anonymous, detailed descriptive data and surgical information on injured players into a secured database. Results: During the 3 years of this study, 100% of the enrolled programs successfully completed the survey (155/155 in year 1, 294/294 in year 2, and 296/296 in year 3). This registry of 745 completed surveys over 3 years represented 25,587 player-years from Division I collegiate baseball. The percentage of programs with at least 1 UCL surgery during this time was 57% in 2017, 51% in 2018, and 49% in 2019. The majority of these players were pitchers (84% overall from the 3 years). Seniors underwent a significantly lower percentage of the UCL surgeries (8% in 2017, 10% in 2018, and 13% in 2019) than did underclassmen. Surgeries were performed most often in-season and least often during the preseason. A slight majority of players undergoing surgery originated from warm-weather states, but the number of these players was never significantly higher than was the number of players from cold-weather states. Most surgeries performed each year were UCL reconstruction, but the percentage of UCL repair with ligament augmentation increased each year (10% UCL repairs in 2017, 20% in 2018, and 25% in 2019). Conclusion: UCL injuries requiring surgery were found to be a major source of morbidity in Division I collegiate baseball, supporting our hypothesis. This study can serve as a baseline for tracking long-term trends in UCL surgeries in collegiate baseball.

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Changes in Maximal Strength and Home Run Performance in NCAA Division I Baseball Players Across 3 Competitive Seasons: A Descriptive Study

Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology ◽

10.3390/jfmk6010004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 4

Author(s):

W. Guy Hornsby ◽

Abigail L. Tice ◽

Jason D. Stone ◽

Justin J. Merrigan ◽

Joshua Hagen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ncaa Division I ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Peak Force ◽

Division I ◽

Maximal Strength ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Repeated Measures Analysis ◽

Division 1

The purpose of this longitudinal, descriptive study was to observe changes in maximal strength measured via isometric clean grip mid-thigh pull and home runs (total and home runs per game) across three years of training and three competitive seasons for four National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 baseball players. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed, revealing significant univariate effects of time for peak force (PF) (p = 0.003) and peak force allometrically scaled (PFa) (p = 0.002). Increases in PF were noted from season 1 to season 2 (p = 0.031) and season 3 (p = 0.004), but season 2 was not significantly different than season 3 (p = 0.232). Additionally, increases in PFa were noted from season 1 to season 2 (p = 0.010) and season 3 (p < 0.001), but season 2 was not significantly different than season 3 (p = 0.052). Home runs per game rose from the 2009 (0.32) to 2010 season (1.35) and dropped during the 2011 season (1.07). A unique aspect of the study involves 2010 being the season in which ball-bat coefficient of restitution (BBCOR) bats were introduced to the NCAA competition.

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