RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ROTATOR CUFF STRENGTH PARAMETERS AND THROWING VELOCITY OF COLLEGE BASEBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

Pitching a baseball is a complex, highly skilled movement that has been divided into four stages by sports researchers. In examining the throwing motion, researchers have: 1) attempted to find the most significant muscle groups of the upper extremity that contribute to throwing velocity (Jobe, 1987; Pedegna, 1982 and Toyoshima and Hoshikawa, 1974); 2) concluded that the shoulder and internal and external rotator groups are the most significant contributors to the throwing motion (Alderink and Kuck, 1986; Cain, Mutschler, Fu and Lee, 1987, Cook, Gray, Savinar-Nogue, Medeiros, 1987, and Pappas, Zawacki and MacCarthy, 1985); and 3) demonstrated that the motions of shoulder rotation are important during tht throwing performance (Atwater, Feltner and Dapena, 1986; Gainor, 1980; and Tullos and King, 1973).