title: Passive range of motion characteristics in the overhead baseball pitcher and their implications for rehabilitation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Repetitive overhead throwing motion causes motion adaptations at the glenohumeral joint that cause injury, decrease performance, and affect throwing mechanics. It is essential to define the typical range of motion (ROM) exhibited at the glenohumeral joint in the overhead thrower.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We (1) assessed the glenohumeral joint passive range of motion (PROM) characteristics in professional baseball pitchers; and (2) applied these findings clinically in a treatment program to restore normal PROM and assist in injury prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2005 to 2010, we evaluated 369 professional baseball pitchers to assess ROM parameters, including bilateral passive shoulder external rotation (ER) at 45° of abduction, external and internal rotation (IR) at 90° abduction while in the scapular plane, and supine horizontal adduction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ER was greater for the throwing and nonthrowing shoulders at 45° of abduction, 102° and 98°, respectively. The throwing shoulder ER at 90° of abduction was 132° compared with 127° on the nonthrowing shoulder. Also, the pitcher's dominant IR PROM was 52° compared with 63° on the nondominant side. We found no statistically significant differences in total rotational motion between the sides.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although we found side-to-side differences for rotational ROM and horizontal adduction, the total rotational ROM was similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinician can use these PROM values, assessment techniques, and treatment guidelines to accurately examine and develop a treatment program for the overhead-throwing athlete.
authors.affiliation: Champion Sports Medicine, A Physiotherapy Associates Clinic, 805 St Vincent's Drive, Suite G100, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA. KWilkpt@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Kevin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Wilk
authors.forename: Leonard C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Macrina
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arrigo
mesh_terms: D001484:Baseball / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology