scholarly journals Glenohumeral and Hip Range-of-Motion and Strength Measures in Youth Baseball Athletes

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 466-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey J. Picha ◽  
Josie L. Harding ◽  
Kellie C. Huxel Bliven

Context: The repetitive demands of throwing affect glenohumeral (GH) range of motion (ROM) and strength. Less is known about hip alterations in skeletally immature athletes. Objective: To compare GH and hip ROM and strength between age, position, and side of youth baseball athletes. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Multicenter testing. Patients or Other Participants: Seventy-two healthy baseball athletes. Participants' self-reported characteristics were age group (7−11 years [n = 28] or 12−18 years [n = 44]), position (pitcher [n = 22], position player [n = 47], unreported [n = 3]), and side (throwing or nonthrowing arm, lead or stance leg). Main Outcome Measure(s): Bilateral GH and hip internal- and external-rotation ROM were measured passively and summed for total arc of motion (TAM). Glenohumeral and hip rotation and gluteus medius strength were measured. Analyses included linear mixed models. Results: Glenohumeral internal rotation was less in throwing than in nonthrowing arms (P < .05) except in younger pitchers (P = .86). Compared with older athletes, younger athletes had more GH external rotation (103.3° ± 7.7° versus 97.5° ± 9.4°; P = .002), TAM (156.4° ± 8.7° versus 147.9° ± 10.9°; P = .04), and external rotation in throwing compared with nonthrowing arms (101.9° ± 1.2° versus 97.9° ± 1.1°; P < .001). Glenohumeral TAM was less in throwing than in nonthrowing arms (150.5° ± 2.1° versus 154.9° ± 1.3°; P = .01). Younger athletes had more hip internal rotation (38.9° ± 6.8° versus 31.2° ± 7.5°; P < .001) and TAM (68.4° ± 10.0° versus 60.7° ± 9.8°; P = .001) than older athletes. Lead-leg hip internal-rotation ROM was greater than in the stance leg (34.8° ± 8.9° versus 32.8° ± 7.7°; P = .01). Overall, older players were stronger than younger players (P < .05), and the throwing arm was stronger in internal rotation than the nonthrowing arm (10.12 ± 3.72 lb [4.59 ± 1.69 kg] versus 9.43 ± 3.18 lb [4.28 ± 1.44 kg]; P = .047). Conclusions: Youth baseball athletes had typical GH ROM adaptations of less internal rotation and more external rotation in the throwing versus the nonthrowing arm. Greater ROM in younger athletes may be explained by prepubertal characteristics. We obtained hip-strength values in youth baseball athletes, and as expected, older athletes were stronger.

2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 507-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth E. Hibberd ◽  
Sakiko Oyama ◽  
Justin Tatman ◽  
Joseph B. Myers

Context: Biomechanically, the motions used by baseball and softball pitchers differ greatly; however, the throwing motions of position players in both sports are strikingly similar. Although the adaptations to the dominant limb from overhead throwing have been well documented in baseball athletes, these adaptations have not been clearly identified in softball players. This information is important in order to develop and implement injury-prevention programs specific to decreasing the risk of upper extremity injury in softball athletes. Objective: To compare range-of-motion and humeral-retrotorsion characteristics of collegiate baseball and softball position players and of baseball and softball players to sex-matched controls. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Research laboratories and athletic training rooms at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Patients or Other Participants: Fifty-three collegiate baseball players, 35 collegiate softball players, 25 male controls (nonoverhead athletes), and 19 female controls (nonoverhead athletes). Intervention(s): Range of motion and humeral retrotorsion were measured using a digital inclinometer and diagnostic ultrasound. Main Outcome Measure(s): Glenohumeral internal-rotation deficit, external-rotation gain, total glenohumeral range of motion, and humeral retrotorsion. Results: Baseball players had greater glenohumeral internal-rotation deficit, total–range-of-motion, and humeral-retrotorsion difference than softball players and male controls. There were no differences between glenohumeral internal-rotation deficit, total–range-of-motion, and humeral-retrotorsion difference in softball players and female controls. Conclusions: Few differences were evident between softball players and female control participants, although range-of-motion and humeral-retrotorsion adaptations were significantly different than baseball players. The throwing motions are similar between softball and baseball, but the athletes adapt to the demands of the sport differently; thus, stretching/strengthening programs designed for baseball may not be the most effective programs for softball athletes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 726-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Michael Astolfi ◽  
Aaron H. Struminger ◽  
Todd D. Royer ◽  
Thomas W. Kaminski ◽  
Charles B. Swanik,

Context The high number of repetitions and high forces associated with overhead throwing lead to anatomical adaptations, such as humeral retrotorsion and posterior-capsule thickness, in elite and professional baseball athletes. However, little is known about the origin and progression of these changes that may account for the increasing trend of chronic shoulder injuries in youth baseball and precipitate subsequent pathologic conditions throughout a young athlete's lifetime. Objective To investigate the relationship of age and upper extremity dominance on humeral retrotorsion, posterior-capsule thickness, and glenohumeral range of motion. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Research laboratory, local baseball fields, and training facilities. Patients or Other Participants Thirty-six boys (mean age = 10.94 ± 1.34 years, height = 151.31 ± 12.17 cm, mass = 42.51 ± 10.32 kg) ranging in age from 8 to 12 years and involved in organized youth baseball. Main Outcome Measure(s) Diagnostic ultrasound was used to determine humeral retrotorsion and posterior-capsule thickness. Glenohumeral internal rotation and external rotation were measured using a handheld inclinometer. We used 2 × 2 mixed-model analyses of variance to compare the influence of limb dominance and age on the dependent variables of humeral retrotorsion, posterior-capsule thickness, internal rotation, and external rotation. Results The dominant shoulders of youth throwers exhibited less glenohumeral internal rotation but greater humeral retrotorsion, posterior-capsule thickness, and glenohumeral external rotation than the nondominant shoulders. Dominant internal rotation was greater in the 8- to 10-year-old group than in the 11- to 12-year-old group, and results trended toward a difference (F1,33 = 4.12, P = .05). Correlations existed between humeral retrotorsion and range of motion (P < .05). Conclusions The structural adaptations in the dominant shoulders of younger baseball players were similar to adaptations observed in older baseball athletes, indicating that more examination is needed in younger athletes. We are the first to demonstrate greater posterior-capsule thickness in the dominant shoulders of youth baseball athletes.


Author(s):  
Luis Ceballos-Laita ◽  
Alberto Pérez-Manzano ◽  
Teresa Mingo-Gómez ◽  
Ignacio Hernando-Garijo ◽  
Ricardo Medrano-De-La-Fuente ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: The detection of primary risk factors through the assessment of shoulder range of motion (ROM) and muscle function could prevent injuries in the initial stages of the handball (HB) practice. OBJECTIVE: To compare shoulder ROM, muscle strength and muscle extensibility between throwing and non-throwing shoulders in young HB athletes and between non-HB athletes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed. Participants aged between 14–16 years that practice physical activity regularly were included and divided in two groups. The HB group included volunteers who practiced HB, the control group included volunteers who practiced other activities. The variables measured were internal rotation and external rotation ROM, maximum isometric strength, and extensibility of the tissues of the posterior part of the throwing and non-throwing shoulder. RESULTS: Thirty-seven subjects were included. The HB group (n= 19) showed greater ROM in both shoulders compared to the control group (n= 18) (p< 0.05). The throwing shoulder of the HB group showed less internal rotation ROM, greater external rotation ROM and greater internal rotation strength when compared to the non-throwing shoulder (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that young HB athletes present differences in shoulder ROM compared to non-HB athletes. Also, HB athletes showed differences in ROM and strength between the TS and non-TS. Hence, the assessment of the shoulder ROM and muscle function should be taken into consideration to avoid injuries in this population.


Hand ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 155894472093736
Author(s):  
Leeor S. Yefet ◽  
Doria Bellows ◽  
Marija Bucevska ◽  
Rebecca Courtemanche ◽  
Kim Durlacher ◽  
...  

Background: Our group previously developed an upper extremity repositioning (Sup-ER) protocol for brachial plexus birth injuries (BPBIs) that may improve supination and external rotation (ER) at 2 years of age. Questions were raised about the potential for the protocol to cause internal rotation (IR) deficits. The goal of this study was to explore the longer-term outcomes of the Sup-ER protocol and investigate IR/ER function. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional cohort study examined 16 children older than 4 years of age with significant enough BPBI to be treated with the Sup-ER protocol. Total shoulder and elbow function were assessed, including passive and active ranges of motion and strength of IR and ER. Results: Range of motion (ROM) for most active movements was decreased in the affected compared to unaffected arm. Notably, IR passive ROM was similar in the affected (78.7°) and unaffected arm (82.8°). External rotation strength of the affected arm was weaker (42.8 N) compared to the unaffected arm (57.9 N). IR strength had a greater deficit in the affected (43.2 N) arm compared to the unaffected arm (72.2 N), but both ER and IR showed less deficit than described in the literature. Conclusions: Despite differences in ranges of motion between the affected and unaffected arms, ROMs for the affected arm were comparable to the functional limits as reported in the literature. The Sup-ER protocol shows potential to optimize long-term shoulder rotation function in children with BPBI without compromising IR.


2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 733-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulcan Harput ◽  
Hande Guney ◽  
Ugur Toprak ◽  
Tunca Kaya ◽  
Fatma Filiz Colakoglu ◽  
...  

Context: Sport-specific adaptations at the glenohumeral joint could occur in adolescent athletes because they start participating in high-performance sports in early childhood. Objective: To investigate shoulder-rotator strength, internal-rotation (IR) and external-rotation (ER) range of motion (ROM), and acromiohumeral distance (AHD) in asymptomatic adolescent volleyball attackers to determine if they have risk factors for injury. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: Thirty-nine adolescent high school-aged volleyball attackers (22 boys, 17 girls; age = 16.0 ± 1.4 years, height = 179.2 ± 9.0 cm, mass = 67.1 ± 10.9 kg, body mass index = 20.7 ± 2.6 kg/m2). Main Outcome Measure(s): Shoulder IR and ER ROM, total-rotation ROM, glenohumeral IR deficit, AHD, and concentric and eccentric strength of the shoulder internal and external rotators were tested bilaterally. Results: External-rotation ROM was greater (t38 = 4.92, P &lt; .001), but IR ROM (t38 = −8.61, P &lt; .001) and total ROM (t38 = −3.55, P = .01) were less in the dominant shoulder, and 15 athletes had a glenohumeral IR deficit (IR ROM loss &gt; 18°). We observed greater concentric internal-rotator (t38 = 2.89, P = .006) and eccentric external-rotator (t38 = 2.65, P = .01) strength in the dominant than in the nondominant shoulder. The AHD was less in the dominant shoulder (t38 = −3.60, P &lt; .001). Conclusions: Adolescent volleyball attackers demonstrated decreased IR ROM, total ROM, and AHD and increased ER ROM in their dominant shoulder. Therefore, routine screening of adolescent athletes and designing training programs for hazardous adaptive changes could be important in preventing shoulder injuries.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Shogo Takano ◽  
Yoshitaka Iwamoto ◽  
Junya Ozawa ◽  
Nobuhiro Kito

Context: Previous studies have reported that the incidence of patellofemoral pain in women is 2.2 times higher than that in men. Lower hip frontal dynamic joint stiffness in women may be related to the magnitude of hip adduction and internal rotation associated with patellofemoral pain. Objective: To identify sex differences in hip frontal dynamic joint stiffness and examine the relationship between hip frontal dynamic joint stiffness and hip adduction and internal rotation during gait. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University campus. Participants: A total of 80 healthy volunteers (40 women and 40 men) participated in this study. Intervention(s): Kinematic and kinetic data during gait were collected using a motion capture system and force plates. Main Outcome Measures: Hip frontal dynamic joint stiffness, hip adduction, and hip internal rotation were calculated during gait. Results: Women demonstrated lower hip frontal dynamic joint stiffness than men during gait (P < .01). They also displayed decreased hip frontal dynamic joint stiffness associated with increased hip adduction (r = −.85, P < .001) and internal rotation (r = −.48, P < .001). Conversely, in men, decreased hip frontal dynamic joint stiffness was associated with increased hip adduction (r = −.74, P < .001) but not internal rotation (r = .17, P = .28). Conclusions: Sex differences between hip frontal dynamic joint stiffness and hip internal rotation during gait may contribute to the increased incidence of patellofemoral pain in women.


Author(s):  
Jaime Fernandez-Fernandez ◽  
Alejandro Lopez-Valenciano ◽  
Jose Vicente Garcia-Tormo ◽  
David Cabello-Manrique ◽  
Juan García-López

Purpose: To analyze the influence of playing 2 consecutive prolonged badminton matches on the shoulder strength and range of motion (ROM) of young players. Methods: Sixteen elite junior badminton players (12 males and 4 females; mean (SD): age 16.2 [0.8] years, body mass 63.5 [6.6] kg, height 173.2 [6.3] cm) participated in a cross-sectional study. Shoulder internal (IR)/external rotation (ER) ROM and IR/ER strength measures were conducted before and after 2 consecutive prolonged (ie, 35 min) matches and 12 hours after the second match. Results: After consecutive matches, IR strength of the dominant side and ER strength of the dominant and nondominant sides (effect size [ES] = 0.20–0.57) were reduced. Shoulder total ROM of the dominant side was decreased (ES = 0.80), while on the nondominant side, IR (ES = 0.66) was also decreased. After 12 hours, results showed decreased values in the IR/ER strength of the dominant side (ES = 0.36–1.00), as well as ER of both dominant and nondominant sides (ES = 0.30–0.59). IR ROM of the nondominant side (ES = 0.69) was also decreased. Conclusion: Present results showed that 2 consecutive matches on the same day with brief rest periods led to significant impairments in shoulder strength and ROM levels. These data can potentially elucidate the need for shoulder-specific training and recovery strategies prior to or during competitions.


2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nihan Ozunlu ◽  
Hatice Tekeli ◽  
Gul Baltaci

Context: The stability of the scapula in relation to the entire moving upper extremity is the key in the throwing sequence. The importance of scapular positioning in volleyball players has been well documented in the literature, but no one has compared scapular positioning between volleyball players and sedentary people. Objective: To compare measurements of scapular mobility obtained using the lateral scapular slide test between volleyball players and sedentary participants without shoulder impairments and to compare changes in scapular mobility in players according to the number of years of sport participation. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 121 people at a single university volunteered. Of these, 67 were sedentary (age = 24.3 ± 2.34 years, height = 1.69 ± 0.09 m, mass = 65.1 ± 11.91 kg); 54 were volleyball players from 4 professional teams and were separated into 2 groups according to their years of sport participation. The first group was named young players (n = 31; age = 17.7 ± 2.58 years, height = 1.83 ± 0.10 m, mass = 68.3 ± 12.21 kg, sport participation ≤ 9 years), and the second group was named old players (n = 23; age = 26.9 ± 3.39 years, height = 1.95 ± 4.38 m, mass = 90.7 ± 5.75 kg, sport participation ≥ 10 years). Main Outcome Measure(s): Study participants completed a rating scale for pain and a questionnaire about demographic and shoulder problems. One assessor performed the lateral scapular slide test and additional flexibility measurements around the shoulder girdle. Flexibility (external rotation, internal rotation) and scapular position (1, 2, 3) were compared among groups (young players, old players, sedentary people) and between sides (dominant, nondominant). Results: In sedentary participants, we found differences for position 1 (t66 = 3.327, P = .002), position 2 (t66 = 2.491, P = .004), position 3 (t66 = 2.512, P = .006), and internal rotation (t66 = 2.592, P = .001) between the dominant and nondominant sides. In old players, we found differences for position 2 between the dominant and nondominant sides (t22 = 2.956, P = .004). For position 2 (F2,118 = 4.265, P = .02) and position 3 (F2,118 = 4.702, P = .01), we found differences between young and old players. For internal rotation, we found differences between sedentary and old players (F2,118 = 6.578, P = .002) and between young and old players (F2,118 = 3.723, P = .01). Conclusions: Clinicians evaluating overhead athletes need to remember that asymmetric scapular posture between the dominant and nondominant sides in unilateral overhead athletes might be normal and not necessarily related to injury.


2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 693-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Meister ◽  
Timothy Day ◽  
Marybeth Horodyski ◽  
Thomas W. Kaminski ◽  
Michael P. Wasik ◽  
...  

Background Differences in range of motion and rotational motion between the dominant and nondominant shoulders in throwing athletes are well documented, although the age at which these changes begin to occur is not known. Hypothesis Changes in glenohumeral rotational motion in the shoulder of the Little League/adolescent baseball player occur during the most formative years of physical development. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Elevation, internal rotation at 90° of abduction, and external rotation at 90° of abduction were measured in the dominant and nondominant shoulders of 294 baseball players, aged 8 to 16 years. Results Analysis of variance revealed 2-way interactions between arm dominance by age for elevation (P =. 005) and internal rotation (P =. 001). Significant differences were noted between dominant and nondominant arms for internal rotation at 90° (P =.001) and external rotation at 90° (P =. 001). Elevation, internal rotation at 90°, external rotation at 90°, and total range of motion varied significantly (P =. 001) among age groups. Elevation in the dominant arms of 16-year-olds was on average 5.3° less than in 8-year-olds (179.6° vs 174.3°). In the nondominant arms, mean elevation for 16-year-olds was 5.6° less than in 8-year-olds (179.7° vs 174.1°). Internal rotation at 90° for the dominant arms averaged 39.0° at age 8 and only 21.3° at age 16. In the non-dominant arms, internal rotation for 8-year-olds averaged 42.2° and only 33.1° for 16-year-olds. Conclusions Elevation and total range of motion decreased as age increased. These changes may be consequences of both bone and soft tissue adaptation. The most dramatic decline in total range of motion was seen between the 13-year-olds and 14-year-olds, in the year before peak incidence of Little Leaguer's shoulder. This decrease in rotational motion may cause increased stress at the physis during throwing.


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