Comparison of upper limb musculoskeletal function and throwing performance in adolescent baseball players and matched controls

Abstract

Objectives: To compare upper limb musculoskeletal profile and throwing speed in adolescent baseball players and matched controls. Participants: Fourteen elite early adolescent (13–16 years) baseball players and 14 age, height and weight matched control subjects. Main outcome measures: Joint range of motion, isometric muscle strength and overhead throwing speed. Results: No significant differences in shoulder or elbow joint range of motion were found, though there was a significant increase in pronation (P=0·03) in the baseball group compared to the control group. No significant differences in shoulder and elbow isometric muscle strength were found between the groups. However, the baseball players threw the ball approximately 50% faster than control subjects. Conclusions: Fast throwing speeds may be achieved in well-trained early adolescent baseball players without changes in isometric muscle strength and with changes in only some ranges of motion. Greater emphasis on the achievement of fast throwing speed by the use of sound overhead throwing technique, particularly in the early stages of a baseball career, may minimize the development of upper limb joint range and muscle strength imbalances which possibly predispose baseball players to injury.