LONGITUDINAL CHANGES IN SHOULDER ROM AND STRENGTH IN ASSOCIATION WITH BALL-THROWING SPEED IN ELITE YOUTH BASEBALL PITCHERS

The purpose of this prospective study was to examine the longitudinal changes in shoulder ER ROM and relative IR strength in elite youth baseball pitchers over one year and to determine their associations with changes in ball speed for throwing fastballs. One hundred and five Dutch elite youth baseball pitchers were measured three times over a period of one year. Statistical analyses of the data revealed that changes in ER ROM and relative IR strength were not significantly associated with changes in ball-throwing speed

Asymmetry and evolution over a one-year period of the upward rotation of the scapula in youth baseball pitchers

The pitching motion is an asymmetric action by which coordination of scapular rotation in the dominant arm might be affected in time and in comparison with the non-dominant arm. The study aimed to compare asymmetry and the evolution of scapular upward rotation over a one-year period. Data were collected twice, before and after a one-year period, from 92 participants (age = 15.1 SD 1.4 years, body height = 177.3 SD 10.9 cm, body weight 69.2 SD 14.5 kg). Scapular motion was tracked at different glenohumeral angles of elevation in the scapular plane: anatomical position (0°), 45°, 90° and 135°. Scapular upward rotation was calculated as the angle between the spinae scapula and the spine. Scapular upward rotation of the dominant arm was 5.1° (95% CI: 2.1°−8.1°) more compared to the non-dominant arm. Age group or glenohumeral angles of elevation did not affect this difference. Scapular upward rotation of the dominant arm decreased 1.9° (95% CI: −0.5° to 4.3°) after a one-year period, however, neither this observation, nor the interaction with age group or elevation angle was significant. These findings may indicate that pitchers could be at risk to develop shoulder injuries especially those that have been associated with scapular asymmetry

Asymmetry and evolution over a one-year period of the upward rotation of the scapula in youth baseball pitchers

The pitching motion is an asymmetric action by which coordination of scapular rotation in the dominant arm might be affected in time and in comparison with the non-dominant arm. The study aimed to compare asymmetry and the evolution of scapular upward rotation over a one-year period. Data were collected twice, before and after a one-year period, from 92 participants (age = 15.1 SD 1.4 years, body height = 177.3 SD 10.9 cm, body weight 69.2 SD 14.5 kg). Scapular motion was tracked at different glenohumeral angles of elevation in the scapular plane: anatomical position (0°), 45°, 90° and 135°. Scapular upward rotation was calculated as the angle between the spinae scapula and the spine. Scapular upward rotation of the dominant arm was 5.1° (95% CI: 2.1°−8.1°) more compared to the non-dominant arm. Age group or glenohumeral angles of elevation did not affect this difference. Scapular upward rotation of the dominant arm decreased 1.9° (95% CI: −0.5° to 4.3°) after a one-year period, however, neither this observation, nor the interaction with age group or elevation angle was significant. These findings may indicate that pitchers could be at risk to develop shoulder injuries especially those that have been associated with scapular asymmetry.Biomechanical EngineeringBiomechatronics & Human-Machine Contro

Cross-Cultural Adaption and Validation of the Dutch Version of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Questionnaire in Juvenile Baseball Pitchers

Monitoring the performance and functional status of baseball pitchers’ upper extremity is important in maintaining the athlete’s health and performance. This study validated a Dutch translation of the original English Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) against the previously validated Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) questionnaires in a group of talented juvenile Dutch baseball pitchers. Three times, from 2014–2016, 107 pitchers completed the Dutch KJOC, DASH and WOSI questionnaires. Participants’ questionnaire scores were analysed for the whole group and the symptomatic player subgroup separately. Internal consistency, construct validity and ceiling and floor effects were examined. Cronbach’s alpha was consistently above 0.8 for the three time periods for the whole group, and ranged between 0.62 and 0.86 for the symptomatic subgroup. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients ranged from 0.47 to 0.67 for the whole group and 0.32 to 0.99 for the symptomatic subgroup. No floor effects were observed in the scores of the KJOC and only a ceiling effect for the whole group (15.2%) at one time period. The Dutch version of the KJOC has shown acceptable internal consistency and construct validity and can be used to assess overhead athletes’ shoulder and elbow functionality.Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Contro