Differences of Shoulder Function between Pitching Side and Non-pitching Side of Patients with Throwing Shoulder Injuries

Abstract

To compare the shoulder functions of the pitching and non-pitching sides of patients with throwing shoulder injuries. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 44 male baseball players. Scapulohumeral and scapulothoracic shoulder-joint functions (7 ROM items, 13 strength measures) of the pitching and non-pitching sides were compared. [Results] On the pitching side, the retroversion angle of the humeral head and the secondary external rotation angle were significantly large, whereas the values of the secondary internal rotation angle, horizontal flexion test, scapular retraction test, inner muscle strength, and the strength of the muscle fibers of the lower trapezius muscle were either significantly lower, or smaller. [Conclusion] The results suggest that characteristic differences in shoulder functions related to ROM and muscle strength of the pitching and non-pitching sides seen in cases of throwing shoulder injury are strongly related to shoulder pain at the time of throwing.

Range of motion patterning in trunk and upper and lower extremities of high school baseball pitchers

“…Previous studies 28) have reported that scapular motion is different in baseball players with and without throwing injuries. For this reason, scapular assessment, such as Scapular Retraction Test, should be considered 29) . upper and lower limbs and trunk was low, and hip flexion and SLR were high.…”