Recovery of upper extremity sensorimotor system acuity in baseball athletes after a throwing-fatigue protocol.
BACKGROUND
Research indicates that upper extremity fatigue hampers sensorimotor system acuity. However, no investigators have observed recovery of upper extremity acuity after fatigue.


OBJECTIVE
To observe recovery of active position reproduction acuity in overhead throwers after a throwing-fatigue protocol.


METHODS
Single-session, repeated-measures design.


METHODS
University musculoskeletal laboratory.


METHODS
Sixteen healthy collegiate baseball players (age = 21.0 +/- 1.6 years, height = 175.8 +/- 10.2 cm, mass = 82.8 +/- 4.3 kg).


METHODS
Subjects threw a baseball with maximum velocity (every 5 seconds) from a single knee. Every 20 throws, subjects rated their upper extremity exertion on a Borg scale until reporting a level of more than 14.


METHODS
We used an electromagnetic tracking system to measure active multijoint position reproduction acuity at 5 intervals: prefatigue; immediately postfatigue; and after 4, 7, and 10 minutes of recovery. Blindfolded subjects reproduced their arm-cocked and ball-release positions. Dependent variables were 3-dimensional variable errors of scapulothoracic, glenohumeral, elbow, and wrist joints; endpoint (ie, hand) position error represented overall upper extremity acuity. The independent variable was time (measured prefatigue and at 4 postfatigue intervals).


RESULTS
Fatigue significantly affected acuity of scapulothoracic, glenohumeral, and elbow joints and endpoint error for both positions (P < .001). Fatigue significantly affected wrist acuity only for ball release (P < .001). For arm-cocked reproduction, each measure of acuity, except that of the glenohumeral joint, recovered by 7 minutes; for ball release, each measure of acuity recovered within 4 minutes (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The sensorimotor system deficits that we observed after fatigue recovered within 7 minutes in most upper extremity joints. Glenohumeral arm-cocked position reproduction acuity failed to recover within 10 minutes. Research indicates that overhead throwers are vulnerable in this position to the capsulolabral injuries commonly observed in throwing athletes. Future researchers should explore this relationship and the effectiveness of exercises aimed at enhancing sensorimotor system acuity and endurance.
Tripp
Brady L
BL
Department of Athletic Training, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Florida International University, University Park, ZEB 250B, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA. trippb@fiu.edu
Yochem
Eric M
EM
Uhl
Timothy L
TL
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001484:Baseball / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric