Rivera J1, Cahalin L1, Best T2, Kaplan L2, Feigenbaum L1
1University of Miami, Department of Physical Therapy at Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, Florida, United States, 2University of Miami, Department of Orthopedics, UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
Background: There is a high prevalence of injuries in overhead athletes, particularly in baseball pitchers. The reason for these injuries is multi-factorial. The concepts of regional interdependence and the kinetic chain model were used to identify potential risk factors.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship(s) between injury(s) and pre-participation baseline measures of inspiratory muscle performance, shoulder-complex mobility and strength, and postural stability symmetry between the stance and lunge limbs in Division 1 baseball pitchers.
Methods: A convenience of sample of fifteen Division 1 baseball pitchers were enrolled as subjects in this study. Of the fifteen pitchers, seven were injured after baseline measures had been obtained. Of the seven injured throwers, six were right-handed and one was left-handed. The Pro2 inspiratory muscle trainer was used to administer the Test of Incremental Respiratory Endurance. The CHAMP-S & ReLOAD systems were used to analyze postural stability in single-limb stance. A digital inclinometer was used to assess mobility of the shoulder complex ROM. Finally, a handheld dynamometer was used to assess muscle strength of the shoulder complex. Strength and ROM tests were repeated 3 times with a 30s rest between repetitions. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 24 software. Analyses included the calculation of descriptive statistics, independent t-tests to compare right and left-handed pitchers, and pitchers with and without injuries. Calculation of Spearman correlation coefficients to examine the relationships between variables. The level of significance was set at p 0.05.
Results: There was a significant correlation to injury with height, weight, MIP, greater left posterior shoulder mobility, and lower symmetry in a region of limb symmetry (ROLS).
Conclusion(s): In conclusion, the results of this study could be used in creating a new paradigm for the pre-participation assessment of the baseball pitcher.
Implications: Greater emphasis should be placed on the glenohumeral internal and external rotators mobility and strength due to their dual role of both aiding in throwing and respiration. Second, postural stability asymmetry in single-limb stance may place a pitcher at a heightened risk of injury. Lastly, secondary inspiratory muscles may play a role in enhancing maximal inspiratory pressure and sustained maximal inspiratory pressure, whereby impairments in muscle endurance may diminish performance and subsequently could impact injury risk.
Keywords: Injury Prediction, Baseball, Pre-participation Evaluation
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was received for completion of this study.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship(s) between injury(s) and pre-participation baseline measures of inspiratory muscle performance, shoulder-complex mobility and strength, and postural stability symmetry between the stance and lunge limbs in Division 1 baseball pitchers.
Methods: A convenience of sample of fifteen Division 1 baseball pitchers were enrolled as subjects in this study. Of the fifteen pitchers, seven were injured after baseline measures had been obtained. Of the seven injured throwers, six were right-handed and one was left-handed. The Pro2 inspiratory muscle trainer was used to administer the Test of Incremental Respiratory Endurance. The CHAMP-S & ReLOAD systems were used to analyze postural stability in single-limb stance. A digital inclinometer was used to assess mobility of the shoulder complex ROM. Finally, a handheld dynamometer was used to assess muscle strength of the shoulder complex. Strength and ROM tests were repeated 3 times with a 30s rest between repetitions. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 24 software. Analyses included the calculation of descriptive statistics, independent t-tests to compare right and left-handed pitchers, and pitchers with and without injuries. Calculation of Spearman correlation coefficients to examine the relationships between variables. The level of significance was set at p 0.05.
Results: There was a significant correlation to injury with height, weight, MIP, greater left posterior shoulder mobility, and lower symmetry in a region of limb symmetry (ROLS).
Conclusion(s): In conclusion, the results of this study could be used in creating a new paradigm for the pre-participation assessment of the baseball pitcher.
Implications: Greater emphasis should be placed on the glenohumeral internal and external rotators mobility and strength due to their dual role of both aiding in throwing and respiration. Second, postural stability asymmetry in single-limb stance may place a pitcher at a heightened risk of injury. Lastly, secondary inspiratory muscles may play a role in enhancing maximal inspiratory pressure and sustained maximal inspiratory pressure, whereby impairments in muscle endurance may diminish performance and subsequently could impact injury risk.
Keywords: Injury Prediction, Baseball, Pre-participation Evaluation
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was received for completion of this study.
Topic: Sport & sports injuries; Orthopaedics; Musculoskeletal: upper limb
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of Miami
Ethics committee: Human Subject Research Office
Ethics number: 13052431599
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
