The Effect of In-Game Cervical Exercises on Shoulder Internal Rotation Range of Motion and External Rotator Strength...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Overhead throwing athletes often experience shoulder and elbow pain due to loss of internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM) and external rotation (ER) strength.
• The role of the cervical spine in these issues is under-explored but may be crucial for rehabilitation and coaching.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if active cervical retraction and retraction with extension exercises, performed between innings, can improve shoulder IR ROM and ER strength in pitchers after a simulated game.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled study involving healthy male baseball pitchers.
• Participants completed a 60-pitch simulated game, with the experimental group performing cervical exercises between innings and the control group resting.
• Shoulder IR ROM and ER strength were measured before and after the game.

Main Results:

• The experimental group showed a significant increase in shoulder IR ROM (16.1° difference, p<0.001), while the control group lost ROM.
• The experimental group had less loss in ER strength (0.5kg vs 1.0kg), but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.399).

Conclusions:

• Performing active cervical retraction and extension exercises between innings can enhance shoulder IR ROM in overhead athletes.
• While ER strength loss may be attenuated, further investigation is warranted.