Relationship between scapular control during isometric shoulder flexion and scapular motion during baseball pitching:...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Scapular control is crucial for baseball pitching, impacting shoulder external rotation.
• Clinicians often compare throwing and non-throwing arms for scapular control differences.
• Previous research has not clarified side-to-side differences or the link between scapular control and motion at maximum shoulder external rotation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare scapular control during isometric shoulder flexion between throwing and non-throwing arms in baseball pitchers.
• To investigate the relationship between scapular control during isometric shoulder flexion and scapular motion at maximum shoulder external rotation during pitching.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen healthy collegiate baseball pitchers were assessed using an optical motion tracking system.
• Scapular control was quantified by changes in internal rotation, downward rotation, and anterior tilt angles during isometric shoulder flexion.
• Scapular position was evaluated at maximum shoulder external rotation during the pitching motion.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in scapular angles were found during isometric shoulder flexion between the throwing and non-throwing arms.
• A significant relationship was observed between changes in scapular internal rotation, downward rotation, and anterior tilt angles during isometric shoulder flexion and the scapular downward rotation angle at maximum shoulder external rotation.

Conclusions:

• At the group level, healthy collegiate baseball pitchers exhibit no side-to-side differences in scapular control during isometric shoulder flexion.
• Scapular control during isometric shoulder flexion is related to scapular position at maximum shoulder external rotation.
• Isometric shoulder flexion may serve as a clinical tool for assessing scapular control in baseball pitchers.