Correlation of Range of Motion and Glenohumeral Translation in Professional Baseball Pitchers

Background Repetitive loading to the hip joint in athletes has been reported as a factor in the development of degenerative joint disease and intra-articular injury. Little information is available on the bilateral symmetry of hip rotational measures in unilaterally dominant upper extremity athletes. Hypothesis Side-to-side differences in hip joint range of motion may be present because of asymmetrical loading in the lower extremities of elite tennis players and professional baseball pitchers. Study Design Cohort (cross-sectional) study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 1. Methods Descriptive measures of hip internal and external rotation active range of motion were taken in the prone position of 64 male and 83 female elite tennis players and 101 male professional baseball pitchers using digital photos and computerized angle calculation software. Bilateral differences in active range of motion between the dominant and nondominant hip were compared using paired t tests and Bonferroni correction for hip internal, external, and total rotation range of motion. A Pearson correlation test was used to test the relationship between years of competition and hip rotation active range of motion. Results No significant bilateral difference (P > .005) was measured for mean hip internal or external rotation for the elite tennis players or the professional baseball pitchers. An analysis of the number of subjects in each group with a bilateral difference in hip rotation greater than 10° identified 17% of the professional baseball pitchers with internal rotation differences and 42% with external rotation differences. Differences in the elite male tennis players occurred in only 15% of the players for internal rotation and 9% in external rotation. Female subjects had differences in 8% and 12% of the players for internal and external rotation, respectively. Statistical differences were found between the mean total arc of hip range of internal and external rotation in the elite tennis players with the dominant side being greater by a clinically insignificant mean value of 2.5°. Significantly less (P < .005) dominant hip internal rotation and less dominant and nondominant hip total rotation range of motion were found in the professional baseball pitchers compared with the elite male tennis players. Conclusion This study established typical range of motion patterns and identified bilaterally symmetric hip active range of motion rotation values in elite tennis players and professional baseball pitchers. Asymmetric hip joint rotational active range of motion encountered during clinical examination and screening may indicate abnormalities and would indicate the application of flexibility training, rehabilitation, and further evaluation.

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Glenohumeral Passive Range of Motion and the Correlation to Shoulder Injuries in Professional Baseball Pitchers

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967113s00096 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 1 (4_suppl) ◽

pp. 2325967113S0009 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kevin E. Wilk ◽

Leonard Macrina ◽

Glenn S. Fleisig ◽

Kyle Aune ◽

Ron Porterfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Professional Baseball ◽

Shoulder Injuries ◽

Baseball Pitchers

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Glenohumeral Passive Range Of Motion And The Correlation To Elbow Injuries In Professional Baseball Pitchers

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967113s00017 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 1 (4_suppl) ◽

pp. 2325967113S0001

Author(s):

Kevin E. Wilk ◽

Leonard Macrina ◽

Glenn S. Fleisig ◽

Kyle Aune ◽

Ron Porterfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Professional Baseball ◽

Elbow Injuries ◽

Baseball Pitchers

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Correlation of Range of Motion and Glenohumeral Translation in Professional Baseball Pitchers

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546504273490 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 33 (9) ◽

pp. 1392-1399 ◽

Cited By ~ 90

Author(s):

Paul A. Borsa ◽

Kevin E. Wilk ◽

Jon A. Jacobson ◽

Jason S. Scibek ◽

Geoffrey C. Dover ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

External Rotation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Professional Baseball ◽

Mobility Patterns ◽

Anterior Translation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Posterior Translation ◽

Baseball Pitchers ◽

Force Displacement

Background Altered mobility patterns in the throwing shoulders of professional baseball pitchers have been reported. Most published reports examining glenohumeral laxity have not used an objective testing device. Objective Quantify and compare glenohumeral translation and rotational range of motion between the throwing and non-throwing shoulders in professional baseball pitchers. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods Force-displacement and range of motion measures were performed bilaterally on 43 asymptomatic professional baseball pitchers. Ultrasound imaging was used to measure glenohumeral translations under stressed and unstressed conditions. Results No significant difference in translation was found between the throwing and nonthrowing shoulders. For both shoulders, posterior translation (5.38 ± 2.7 mm) was significantly greater (P < .001) than was anterior translation (2.81 ± 1.6 mm). External rotation in the throwing shoulder was significantly greater than that in the nonthrowing shoulder (P < .001), whereas internal rotation in the throwing shoulder was significantly less than that in the nonthrowing shoulder (P < .001). The total arc of rotation for the throwing shoulder was not significantly different than that for the nonthrowing shoulder, and correlation coefficients were poor between rotational and translational range of motion in the throwing shoulder, ranging from r = 0.232 to 0.209 between variables. Conclusion No significant difference in glenohumeral translation exists between the throwing and nonthrowing shoulders in asymptomatic professional baseball pitchers, posterior translation is significantly greater than anterior translation in the throwing shoulders of professional baseball pitchers, and glenohumeral translation is not related to rotational range of motion in the throwing shoulders of professional baseball pitchers. Clinical Relevance Altered mobility patterns in asymptomatic professional baseball pitchers may be due to factors other than capsular adaptive changes.

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The relationship between range of motion and muscle strength of the shoulder joint in professional baseball pitchers

10.31083/jomh.2021.030 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Shoulder Joint ◽

External Rotation ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Isometric Strength ◽

Professional Baseball ◽

Baseball Pitchers ◽

Baseball Team ◽

The Relationship

Background and objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship between range of motion (ROM) and isometric strength of the shoulder joint, adjusted for humeral head retroversion angle (HHRA), in professional baseball pitchers. Material and Methods: A total of 18 pitchers from a professional baseball team were included in this study. The isometric strength of internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) were measured using an isokinetic device at 85◦ and 30◦ ER, and at 25◦ IR. A linear regression analysis was then performed. Results: The HHRA of the dominant arm was approximately 7◦ greater than that of the non-dominant arm (P < 0.001). As the IR ROM increased by 1◦, the IR isometric strength at 25◦ IR was signiﬁcantly increased by 0.448% body weight (P < 0.05). However, as the ROM of IR increased, the IR isometric strength at 85◦ and 30◦ ER was not signiﬁcant (P > 0.05), and as the ROM of ER increased, the IR and ER isometric strength were not signiﬁcant (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Thus, the increase of IR ROM in professional baseball pitchers was associated with an increase in isometric strength at 25◦ IR, after adjustments were made for HHRA.

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