Functional differences in softball pitchers with and without upper extremity pain

Abstract

Objectives: Though pitchers often throw during multiple games in a day, there are currently no pitch count restrictions in softball. The accumulation of high pitch counts over time may contribute to the development of upper extremity pain. The purpose of our study was to examine functional characteristics of shoulder and hip range of motion (ROM), isometric strength (ISO), and ball speed in softball pitchers with and without upper extremity (UE) pain.

Design: Controlled laboratory design.

Methods: Fifty-three NCAA Division I softball pitchers (20.0±1.4 years; 173.3±8.3cm; 80.9±12.3kg) participated and were divided into two groups: pain-free (n=30) and pain in the UE (n=23). Bilateral shoulder and hip external rotation (ER) and internal rotation (IR) ROM and ISO were measured prior to pitching to a catcher located 13.1m (43ft) away.

Results: Independent samples t-tests revealed significantly greater throwing side (TS) hip ER ROM (p=0.012), TS hip IR ISO (p=0.038), glove side (GS) hip ER ISO (p=0.025), TS shoulder ER ISO (p=0.002), GS shoulder IR (p=0.006) and ER (p=0.004) ISO in the pain free group versus the UE pain group.

Conclusions: Differences in shoulder and hip ROM and ISO exist between those who have upper extremity pain and those who do not. Therefore, findings suggest that both the upper and lower extremities should be considered when treating softball pitchers with UE pain.

Keywords: Fast pitch softball; Injury; Range of motion; Windmill softball pitch.