Kinematics of Shooting in High School and Collegiate Lacrosse Players With and Without Low Back Pain

Abstract

Background:Low back pain (LBP) and motion alterations can occur in athletes who engage in high-speed throwing motions. The relationship between LBP and shooting motion in lacrosse players is not yet known.Purpose:To quantify the effects of LBP on key kinematic parameters of the lacrosse shot and determine the contribution of the severity of LBP on specific kinematic parameters of the shooting motion.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:High school and collegiate players (N = 24) were stratified into 2 groups based on back pain symptoms (LBP or no pain). Three-dimensional motion capture of overhead throws was used to collect data on knee, pelvis, trunk, and shoulder kinematics as well as crosse stick (the stick capped with a strung net) and ball speed.Results:Mean low back numeric pain rating scale (NRSpain) score was 2.9. Knee flexion at ball release was greater in the LBP than no pain group, indicating a more bent knee (P = .04). The LBP group demonstrated less angular velocity transfer from pelvis to trunk than the no pain group (P = .05). Total range of motion of the pelvis and shoulders during the shot and follow-through were less in the LBP group than the no pain group (83.6° ± 24.5° vs 75.9° ± 24.5°, P = .05). Age- and sex-adjusted regression analyses revealed that the low back NRSpain rating contributed 6.3% to 25.0% of the variance to the models of shoulder transverse rotation range of motion, trunk and shoulder rotation angular velocities, and knee flexion angle (P < .05).Conclusion:LBP severity significantly contributes to trunk and shoulder motion restriction during lacrosse shooting. Inclusion of lumbopelvic and core training and prehabilitation programs for high school and collegiate players may reduce pain in affected players as well as help them to attain appropriate motion parameters and avoid secondary musculoskeletal injuries.Clinical Relevance:This research identified a prehabilitation need in the understudied lacrosse population. Therapeutic strategies can be developed to strengthen the throwing motion, which could control mechanical loading patterns on the low back and minimize pain symptoms in players with chronic LBP.

The First Decade of Web-Based Sports Injury Surveillance: Descriptive Epidemiology of Injuries in US High School Boys' Lacrosse (2008–2009 Through 2013–2014) and National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Lacrosse (2004–2005 Through 2013–2014)

“…The shoulders are vulnerable to injury in lacrosse as both contact and regular overhead activities are common. 17,30 Shoulder and clavicle injuries were not unusual in this analysis, comprising 10.8% of high school and 8.9% of collegiate injuries, similar to prior studies (Table 4). 14,30,31 Although it is important to develop proper techniques to protect the shoulder joint while passing or shooting, the most frequent mechanism of injury for shoulder injury at both the collegiate and high school levels was contact with another player, further emphasizing the need for safe contact strategies in this full-contact sport.…”

“…Another group 14 observed competition and practice injury rates of 4.45 and 1.29/ 1000 AEs, respectively, in high school lacrosse players. Although we noted rates of injury similar to those of prior investigators, these comparisons are limited to sparse research on boys' lacrosse that supplied injury rates as opposed to the many authors [15][16][17][18] who reported only specific injuries, patients with injuries presenting to emergency departments, or case studies.…”

The Relationship Between Hip Range of Motion and Pitching Kinematics Related to Increased Elbow Valgus Loads in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers: A Pilot Study

“…Motion capture set-up was based on previously validated methods. 26,27 Motion analysis was captured with a highspeed, 12-camera optical motion capture system (Motion Analysis Corp, Santa Rosa, California). Data were captured at 200 Hz.…”

The Power Behind the Time and Room Shot

“…The slight knee extension in high velocity throwers and shooters made be a concomitant movement with the contraction of the quad that is trying to tilt the trunk forward [27][28][29]. This suggests that strengthening the knee extensor muscles may be important for the athlete since a braced lead leg creates angular momentum of the trunk about the trunk's mediolateral and longitudinal axes [30].…”