ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN GLENOHUMERAL ROTATION STRENGTH AND SELECT KINETIC PARAMETERS DURING THE BASEBALL PITCH IN ADOLESCENT BASEBALL PITCHERS

Authors

Kyle Wasserberger, Auburn UniversityFollow
Jessica Downs, Auburn UniversityFollow
Kevin Giordano, Auburn UniversityFollow
Abby Brittain, Auburn UniversityFollow
Gretchen Oliver, Auburn UniversityFollow

Category

Injury prevention

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between isometric glenohumeral rotation strength and select biomechanical parameters during the pitching motion in adolescent baseball pitchers. Glenohumeral (GH) rotation strength and pitching kinetic data were assessed in 28 (14.2 ±0.94 yrs; 66.5 ±11.7 kg; 175 ±10.8 cm) adolescent baseball pitchers. Spearman’s rank correlations were used to assess relationships between GH rotation strength and upper extremity torques during the pitching motion. Peak GH internal rotation torque during the pitch was negatively correlated with the ratio of throwing arm external rotation strength to non-throwing arm external rotation strength (r= -0.552, p < 0.05). These results provide evidence for a potential mechanism behind the increased injury risk seen in pitchers who exhibit GH external rotation weakness.

Recommended Citation

Wasserberger, Kyle; Downs, Jessica; Giordano, Kevin; Brittain, Abby; and Oliver, Gretchen (2019) "ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN GLENOHUMERAL ROTATION STRENGTH AND SELECT KINETIC PARAMETERS DURING THE BASEBALL PITCH IN ADOLESCENT BASEBALL PITCHERS," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 37: Iss. 1, Article 8.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol37/iss1/8