Student Scholars Day

The Influence of Hip and Shoulder Range of Motion on Shoulder Function in Baseball and Softball Players

Kirkhof Center KC1

Baseball and softball players throw thousands of times in and out of season, thus exposing themselves to the risk of overuse injuries. A single pitch produces stress on a baseball players' arm that often reaches near the point of tissue failure in highly-skilled athletes. However, overhead throwing moves beyond the arm and involves synchronized motion of the hip, torso, and upper extremity; hip activity significantly impacts the power and motion generated in the upper body. Previous studies have considered the relationships between hip and shoulder range of motion and rates of shoulder injury or level of performance in professional baseball players and found significant correlations. The current study investigated the differences in hip and shoulder range of motion between collegiate baseball and softball players with and without a history of injury so that future healthcare professionals can recognize and treat conditions which may predispose the athlete to injury.