Differences in Muscle Power Between the Dominant and Nondominant Upper Limbs of Baseball Players

Abstract

We examined differences in muscle power between the dominant and non-dominant upper limbs of 33 healthy right-handed university baseball players (mean age, 20.4 ± 1.1 years) with an average baseball experience >11 years. After measuring maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of hand grip, elbow flexion, and shoulder internal rotation in both upper limbs, the muscle power of each joint was measured at 40%, 50%, and 60% MVC. No significant differences were observed in the main factors affecting MVC and elbow flexion power loads between dominant and non-dominant upper limbs. For hand grip power, load factors at 40% MVC in the dominant hand were lower than those at 60% MVC in the same hand and those at 50% and 60% MVC in the non-dominant hand. Significant differences were observed in shoulder internal rotation power between dominant and non-dominant upper limbs, with the dominant limb having greater power at all loads. Correlations between muscle power of both upper limbs for hand grip and elbow flexion were significant and moderately high at all loads. For shoulder internal rotation power, the degree of correlation was significant and moderately high at 40% MVC but low to moderate at 50% and 60% MVC. Baseball players therefore have marked lateral dominance in shoulder internal rotation power unlike hand grip and elbow flexion power, although the relationship between shoulder internal rotation muscle powers of both upper limbs becomes lower with increasing load. The dominance of muscle power of each joint varied even in the same upper limb. It is thus beneficial for baseball players to train with even loads on both arms or adopt simultaneous workout of both arms after adjusting for strength differences.

The effect of eccentric exercise and delayed onset muscle soreness on the homologous muscle of the contralateral limb

“…Before the eccentric exercise, the dominant leg produced higher muscle force and longer time to task failure as compared with the non-dominant leg. Previous studies have also demonstrated a greater force production for the dominant leg with respect to the nondominant leg (Noguchi et al 2014, Lanshammar& Ribom, 2011. This difference between two leg may be related to higher capacity of the dominant leg to produce force most likely due to the lower ratio between hamstrings and quadriceps strength in the dominant leg (H:Q), (Noguchi et al 2014).…”

The Neuromuscular Efficiency of Trunk Muscles is Altered by Age in the Abdominal Muscles but by Gender in the Back Muscles

“…A simple to take measurement involves determination of Maximum Voluntary Force (MVC). However, an MVC measure can only be an approximation of a subject's force capacity, because it is influenced by motivation [6,7], experience with the required task [8], side dominance [9], tolerance to discomfort and pain [10], age [11], and sex [12,13]. Frequently the MVC is taken as the only measure to assess success of interventions.…”

Outcomes After Hemiarthroplasty for Proximal Humerus Fracture Are Significantly Affected by Hand Dominance

“…6 Hand dominance, as an independent factor, is known to have an influence on upper extremity function, and strength. [7][8][9][10][11][12] The DOM-side extremity is typically more used, has greater strength, and has greater demands placed on it. Thus, injuries leading to physical limitations on the DOM upper extremity may result in greater patient-rated impairment and disability than injures of the non-DOM extremity.…”