THE VARIATION OF DOMINANT ELBOW RANGE OF MOTION AMONG DIFFERENT MATURE STAGE FOR BASEBALL PITCHERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the variation of elbow range of motion (ROM) in the dominant arm between different maturity levels in baseball pitchers. Sixty-two pitchers, including 17 early-puberty players, 22 later-puberty players, and 23 adult players, participated in this study. A goniometer was used to assess elbow ROM in the dominant arms, including elbow flexion, hyper-extension, supination, pronation and valgus angles. The results showed that smaller ROM was found in elbow flexion, supination, and pronation, and larger ROM in elbow valgue, in pithers of later puberty level (p<.05). In conclusion, changes in elbow ROM may develope with ages in baseball pitchers, the clinicans should pay attention to the change of elbow ROM in pitchers, especially in later puberty level.