Reinold, MM, Wilk, KE, Kimball, M, Hooks TR, Reed, J, Andrews, JR; Healthsouth Sports Medicine Center, Birmingham, AL. michael.reinold@healthsouth.com.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the bilateral range of motion and proprioceptive characteristics of the baseball pitcher to the non-throwing athlete. SUBJECTS: Sixty healthy professional baseball pitchers (mean 24.4 years) and sixty healthy control subjects (mean 27.7 years) non-throwers participated. METHODS: Bilateral passive range of motion (ROM) was measured for shoulder internal and external rotation (IR, ER) at 90° abduction in the supine position using a goniometer. Subject were then passively moved from 0° of ER into 50% of their available passive ER ROM with their eyes closed. ROM measurements were recorded using an inclinometer. The position was held for 2 seconds and the arm was then returned to the starting position. The subject was then asked to actively return to the testing position and ROM measurements were recorded. The test was also performed at 75% of their available passive ROM. The order of arm dominance and test procedure was randomized. ANALYSES: The difference between the passive and active ROM measurements was calculated as the error of reproduction for each trial. Dominant (D) versus nondominant (ND) shoulder mean differences were analyzed using a paired t-test for both trials. An independent samples t-test was used to compare the two groups. A simple linear regression model was used to compare proprioception at 50% and 75% ROM (p<0.05). RESULTS: ROM for the D shoulder was significantly greater for ER (pitchers = 126° D, 119° ND; non-throwers = 113° D, 110° ND) and less for IR (pitchers = 59° D, 66° ND, non-throwers = 68° D, 72° ND) than the ND shoulder in both groups. The pitchers had significantly greater ER and less IR than non-throwers bilaterally. There were no significant differences in error of reproduction between arm dominance or groups (pitchers 50% = 6.9° D, 6.3° ND; pitchers 75% = 6.2° D, 5.5° ND; non-throwers 50% = 8.0° D, 7.2 ND; non-throwers 75% = 4.8° D, 5.6° ND). There was a significantly greater proprioception bilaterally at 75% compared to 50% ROM in the non-throwers that was not present in the pitchers. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in ROM and proprioception characteristics exist between baseball pitchers and non-throwers. Proprioceptive abilities of the baseball pitcher appear to be equal bilaterally and at 50 and 75% ROM, while non-throwers may have greater proprioceptive abilities at further degrees of ER. The results of this study may assist in the evaluation and treatment of shoulder dysfunction in baseball pitchers and non-throwers. ROM and proprioception testing may be performed on the contralateral shoulder to set a baseline for achievable goals. FUNDING SOURCE: None.

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