Date of Award

Spring 2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Athletic Training – Post Professional Concentration

Committee Chairperson

Alison Gardiner-Shires, PhD, ATC

Committee Member

Nicole Cattano, PhD, ATC

Committee Member

Mark Shires, MS, ATC

Abstract

Context: Shoulder injuries are a significant problem in baseball players. The relationship between shoulder range of motion (ROM) deficit, hip joint flexibility and function of the diaphragm has been investigated as a global contributor to injuries in overhead athletes. Objective: To investigate the effects of pelvic positioning on shoulder total ROM and IR, and contralateral hip internal rotation (IR) of baseball players. Design: Pretest/posttest observational cohort study with repeated measures Setting: NCAA Division II baseball team Patients: Ten male pitchers Intervention: Left hip repositioning technique Main Outcome Measure(s): ROM was assessed using a digital inclinometer for right shoulder IR, right shoulder total ROM, left hip IR, and presence of left anterior inferior chain (AIC) pattern. Results: During the 5-day intervention, 6 pitchers presented without the left AIC pattern, while 4 presented with the left AIC pattern in up to half of the 10 encounters. The results of a one-way ANOVA with repeated measures indicated a significant time effect for both left hip internal rotation and shoulder total motion. A one-way ANOVA with repeated measures indicated no significant time effect for shoulder internal rotation. There were no between group differences in any range of motion when comparing LAIC pattern to a neutral pelvis. Conclusions: Participants experienced changes in ROM as a result of regular throwing per prior research. However, the left AIC pattern did not occur as frequently as hypothesized; therefore, the effects of left pelvic positioning on shoulder and hip ROM are unclear. Word Count: 243

Download

Share

COinS