Relationship Between Upper Limb Injuries and Hip Range of Motion in Elementary and Junior High School Baseball Players

Abstract

Background: Shoulder and elbow injuries are major problems in baseball players. Tightness of the upper extremities has been reported as a risk factor for shoulder and elbow injuries in elementary and junior high school baseball players. However, few studies have been conducted on the relationship between decreased hip range of motion (ROM) and shoulder and elbow injuries. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study aimed to prospectively examine the relationship between hip ROM and throwing-related shoulder and elbow injuries in elementary and junior high school baseball players. The hypothesis was that players with unrestricted ROM in the hip would have a reduced risk of upper extremity injuries. Methods: The study included 263 baseball players (mean ± SD age, 10.5 ± 1.3 years; range, 7-14 years). The following physical parameters were assessed: (1) hip flexion ROM measured in the supine position and (2) hip internal and external rotation in the prone position. After the season, players completed questionnaires regarding shoulder and/or elbow injuries. For comparison, the players were classified as injured (not able to play for ≥8 days because of shoulder and/or elbow problems) or noninjured. Results: During the season, 52 players had shoulder and/or elbow injuries. When the injured and noninjured groups were compared, hip flexion on the dominant side (121.5° ± 12.0° vs 126.7° ± 9.8°, respectively; P < .01), hip flexion on the nondominant side (119.6° ± 11.7° vs 126.0° ± 9.9°, respectively; P < .01), and internal rotation on the dominant side (52.5° ± 11.3° vs 56.8° ± 10.8°, respectively; P = .01) were significantly reduced in the injured group. Conclusion: We identified preseason decreases in flexion bilaterally and internal rotation on the dominant side as risk factors for shoulder and elbow injuries in elementary and junior high school baseball players. Further studies are required to prevent disabilities in elementary and junior high school baseball players through development of prevention and intervention programs.

Risk factor for elbow symptom manifestation in young baseball players with asymptomatic medial elbow abnormalities: a prospective cohort study

“…In a cross-sectional study, these authors additionally reported that hip external rotation ROM on the back leg was significantly lower in injured high school baseball pitchers than in non-injured pitchers 17 . A previous prospective study showed that preseason decreases ROM in flexion bilaterally and internal rotation on the back leg were risk factors for shoulder and elbow injuries in elementary and junior high school baseball players 18 . Hip ROM has not been established as a risk factor for baseball-related injury.…”

Deep Infrapatellar Bursitis in Preadolescent Baseball Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Hip IR and ER. The IR and ER of the hip were measured in the prone position according to previous studies, 18,38 using the same goniometer used in SLRA measurement. One examiner stabilized the pelvis, while the other bent the knee on the measurement side at 90 and rotated the hip joint internally and externally until an end feel was detected with flexion at 0 .…”

“…The SLRA, defined as the angle between the floor and the thigh, was measured with a digital goniometer (Digital Protractor with stainless blades; iGaging) used to measure the range of motion of joints in previous studies. 18,42 Heel-Buttock Distance. The HBD was measured to evaluate the flexibility of the quadriceps muscles.…”