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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHOULDER INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RANGE OF MOTION AND ISOMETRIC GRIP STRENGTH OF COLLEGIATE BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL ATHLETES

Abstract

In order to achieve high velocity and accuracy, baseball and softball players place large amounts of stress on their arms during pitching. Baseball pitchers use the overhead throwing motion at a higher frequency and force than other positions and injuries can cause athletes to miss games or decrease their performance output. This study investigated the relationship between shoulder internal and external range of motion (IROM and EROM), and isometric grip strength of Brewton-Parker College baseball and softball players. Athletes were surveyed to collect demographic information and injury history. Participants laid on a physical therapy table in the supine position with their arms abducted 900 away from their body for shoulder IROM and EROM measurements using a goniometer. The 19 baseball (9 injured) and 14 softball (5 injured) participants were also tested for isometric grip strength in their throwing arms with a hand dynamometer. Results for baseball: average shoulder EROM of non-injured: 105.9° ± 8.0, injured: 98.56° ± 6.04. Average shoulder IROM non-injured: 61.0° ± 8.74, injured: 57.67° ± 7.83. Average isolated grip strength non-injured: 49.0 ± 11.10 kg, injured: 50.14 ± 4.75 kg. Results for softball: average shoulder EROM of non-injured: 90.56° ± 12.41, injured: 63.60° ± 20.71. Average shoulder IROM non-injured: 72.89° ± 18.03, injured: 63.0° ± 22.77. Average isometric grip strength non-injured: 28.11kg ± 5.54, injured: 25.38kg ± 5.15. A student t-test was conducted to compare injured and uninjured conditions. There was a significant difference between injured and uninjured baseball players (t=0.046), p=0.05 as well as between injured and uninjured softball players (t=0.015) for shoulder EROM but not for IROM or grip strength. When comparing uninjured baseball players to uninjured softball players: for EROM (t=0.010) and grip strength (t=0.0002) there was a significant difference and lastly when comparing injured baseball and softball players: only EROM (t=0.0263) showed significant difference. Grip strength increased with body mass index (BMI, and are therefore positively correlated.

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