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. 2023;26(3):89-97.
doi: 10.1298/ptr.E10254. Epub 2023 Oct 27.

Biomechanical Characteristics of Scapular and Glenohumeral Movements during Pitching Motion in Injury-prone College Baseball Pitchers

Koji Miyashita  1 , Sentaro Koshida  2 , Taro Koyama  3 , Kenichiro Ota  4 , Yusuke Tani  5 , Ryoji Okamune  3
Affiliations

Biomechanical Characteristics of Scapular and Glenohumeral Movements during Pitching Motion in Injury-prone College Baseball Pitchers

Koji Miyashita et al. Phys Ther Res. 2023.

Abstract

Objectives: The coordination of glenohumeral (GH) and scapular movements is central to the injury prevention of baseball pitchers. However, there is no objective data establishing the direct relationship between pitching injuries and associated GH and scapular movements. Therefore, this study demonstrated the biomechanical differences in the scapular and GH movements during pitching between injury-prone pitchers and healthy college baseball pitchers.

Methods: A total of 30 collegiate baseball pitchers were classified into two groups according to their injury status: injury-prone group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15). We obtained pitching motion data using three-dimensional motion analysis technique.

Results: The horizontal abduction angles of the GH joint during cocking and acceleration phases were considerably greater in the injury-prone pitchers (19.0° at stride foot contact [SFC], -4.0° at maximum external rotation [MER], and -0.3° at ball release) than those in healthy controls (11.7° at SFC, -10.0° at MER, and -6.9° at ball release). Additionally, in the cocking phase, the amount of angular change in the scapular external rotation (ER) was significantly smaller in the injury-prone group than that in the control group (mean difference, -13.0).

Conclusion: These results suggest that the injury-prone pitchers have less internal rotation of the scapula and a more horizontal abduction of the GH joint during the cocking and acceleration phases. Therefore, sports medicine practitioners may need to pay considerable attention to the coordination of scapular and GH horizontal movements during pitching for prevention of shoulder injuries.

Keywords: Glenohumeral joint movement; Injury-prone; Pitching motion; Scapula movement.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.. Points for the marker placement and reference position
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.. Kinematic model used for the angle calculation
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.. Time curve of the mean (±SD) of joint angle
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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