STERNOCLAVICULAR JOINT MOVEMENT DURING BACKSWING IN BASEBALL PITCHING MAY BE A GOOD INDICATOR OF SHOULDER INJURY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the characteristics of joint movements performed by the pitchers who suffered from throwing shoulder injuries. Fourteen semiprofessional baseball pitchers participated in our longitudinal study. We captured their pitching using an optical motion capture system. We investigated their disease history once a year, for 5 years, in order to investigate the relationship between baseball-related throwing injuries and pitching mechanics. T w of the players suffered from shoulder pain and had to take a "no throw" rest for several weeks during the season. Both pitchers had a reduced range of motions for retraction at the sternoclavicular joint during backswing. However, they presented the same range of motions for shoulder horizontal abduction, as the other healthy pitchers.