Superior training efficacy of beginning movement load training for the baseball throwers

Superior shoulder motion with rotator cuff activation are essential for the performance of the throwing athletes. The present study compared the novel beginning movement load training (BMLT) and popular throwers ten program regarding the training efficacy of baseball throwers. We hypothesized that the BMLT contributed the superior training efficacy than popular throwers ten program.

Forty adult baseball players were randomized into study group and control group equally. In study group, the cyclic shoulder motion was repeatedly operated 3 days in a week and lasted for 6 weeks using three different BMLT training machines. As for control group, three popular cyclic training in the throwers ten program were adopted for the shoulder trainings as the same protocol in study group. The evaluations before and after training included the static range of motion (ROM), the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVICs) of the target muscle (pectoralis major, middle deltoid and supraspinatus) and throwing velocity.

After 6-week course, study group had significant wider static ROM in saggital adduction (p = 0.002), coronal internal rotation (p = 0.018) and external rotation (p = 0.044) than in control group. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) ratio of middle deltoid/supraspinatus was significant lower in study group (Study:Control = 1.14 ± 0.76:3.56 ± 5.57, p = 0.049) which indicated the enhanced supraspinatus maximal contraction in the study group after training. In addition, the study group had significant improvement in throwing speed (117 ± 10 vs. 109 ± 10 km/h, p = 0.040).

The BMLT contributed the superiority in range of motion, recruitment of supraspinatus and throwing velocity than the popular thrower's ten program. It could be a favourable training for the overhead activity.