Dominant-Limb Range-of-Motion and Humeral-Retrotorsion Adaptation in Collegiate Baseball and Softball Position Players

Abstract

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-ofmotion 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.Key Words: upper extremity, shoulder, injury prevention Key PointsCompared with softball players, baseball players had greater glenohumeral internal-rotation deficit and humeralretrotorsion and total range-of-motion differences. Few differences were observed between softball players and female control participants,.

Preseason screening of shoulder range of motion and humeral retrotorsion does not predict injury in high school baseball players

“…29 Baseball players tend to present with increased humeral retrotorsion on the dominant arm, because repetitive torsional load on their throwing arm while playing youth baseball, interfere with the rewinding process, causing it to remain more “twisted” relative to the non-dominant arm. 11, 12 Previous studies suggest that increased humeral retrotorsion on the dominant limb protects pitchers from shoulder injuries, 26 but increases the risk of elbow injuries in college 24 and professional 26 baseball pitchers. Although the mechanistic link is still unclear, the effect of dominant humeral retrotorsion on injury risk is likely attributed to the way humeral retrotorsion affects shoulder ROM, 3, 23 and thereby loads at shoulder and elbow joints.…”

Shoulder Internal Derangement and Osteoarthritis in a 25-Year-Old Female Softball Athlete

“…Internal derangement (eg, rotator cuff tears, tendinopathy, and labral tears) and osteoarthritis (OA) are not pathologies typically associated with a young healthy athlete, but the occurrence of shoulder injuries or www.journalchiromed.com instability in overhead-throwing sports, such as baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, or football, is increasingly prevalent. [1][2][3][4][5][6] The rotator cuff and other muscles are dynamic stabilizers, whereas the glenoid labrum, glenohumeral ligaments, joint capsule, and osseous structures are the static stabilizers of the glenohumeral joint. 7 Diagnosis of rotator, labral, or osseous pathologies of the shoulder can be obtained with a variety of imaging modalities, but which structures are best seen, by which modality, has been a topic of ongoing controversy.…”

Reliability and Validity of a 1-Person Technique to Measure Humeral Torsion Using Ultrasound

“…2,6,10 Interestingly, these adaptations, which may result in deficits in either internal or external rotation (or both), have been identified as risk factors for upper extremity injury. 2,10,11,19,20 Investigators 5,7,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] have demonstrated that osseous adaptions may account for a larger part of the adaptations observed in internal-rotation deficits and external-rotation gains in the overhead-throwing shoulder. In fact, research-ers 5,30,31 have reported that decreases in humeral torsion (HT) accounted for internal-rotation deficits of the glenohumeral joint.…”