Differences in scapular upward rotation between baseball pitchers and position players.
BACKGROUND
Baseball pitchers have been reported to have an increased prevalence of shoulder injury compared with position players such as infielders and outfielders. Furthermore, insufficient scapular upward rotation has been empirically linked with several of these shoulder disorders. However, the difference in scapular upward rotation between pitchers and position players is not known.


OBJECTIVE
Pitchers will have decreased scapular upward rotation of their dominant shoulders compared with position players.


METHODS
Descriptive laboratory study.


METHODS
Dominant shoulder scapular upward rotation was measured with the arm at rest and at 60 degrees , 90 degrees , and 120 degrees of humeral elevation among 15 professional baseball pitchers and 15 position players with no recent history of upper extremity injury.


RESULTS
Independent t tests showed pitchers have significantly less scapular upward rotation at 60 degrees (3.9 degrees , P = .011) and 90 degrees (4.4 degrees , P = .009) of humeral elevation compared with position players.


CONCLUSIONS
Baseball pitchers have less scapular upward rotation than do position players, specifically at humeral elevation angles of 60 degrees and 90 degrees .


CONCLUSIONS
This decrease in scapular upward rotation may compromise the integrity of the glenohumeral joint and place pitchers at an increased risk of developing shoulder injuries compared with position players. As such, pitchers may benefit from periscapular stretching and strengthening exercises to assist with increasing scapular upward rotation.
Biomechanics Laboratory, School of Kinesiology and Recreation, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois 61790, USA. klaudner@ilstu.edu
Kevin G
KG
Laudner
Justin M
JM
Stanek
Keith
K
Meister
D000328:Adult; D001484:Baseball / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012399:Rotation; D012540:Scapula / Q000502:physiology*; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology*