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Shoulder motion and laxity in the professional baseball player
L U Bigliani1, T P Codd, P M Connor
1The Shoulder Service, New York Orthopaedic Hospital, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine
|September 26, 1997
Summary
Professional baseball players show differences in shoulder range of motion and laxity between dominant and non-dominant arms. Pitchers exhibit greater range of motion and laxity than position players, impacting rehabilitation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Overhead throwing athletes, such as baseball players, place significant stress on the shoulder joint.
- Understanding the biomechanical adaptations in the dominant throwing shoulder is crucial for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the range of motion and laxity between the dominant and nondominant shoulders of professional baseball players.
- To identify differences in shoulder biomechanics between pitchers and position players.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 148 professional baseball players (72 pitchers, 76 position players) with no prior shoulder issues.
- Assessed active range of motion (forward elevation, external rotation, internal rotation) and laxity (sulcus sign).
- Compared measurements between dominant and nondominant shoulders, and between player positions.
Main Results:
- Dominant shoulders showed greater external rotation and less internal rotation than nondominant shoulders in both groups.
- Pitchers displayed greater range of motion (forward elevation, external rotation) and less internal rotation in both shoulders compared to position players.
- Pitchers had a higher prevalence and degree of inferior laxity (sulcus sign) in their dominant shoulders.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in shoulder range of motion and laxity exist in throwing athletes.
- These adaptations are more pronounced in pitchers compared to position players.
- Findings should inform rehabilitation protocols and surgical considerations for overhead throwing athletes.