Characteristics of Range of Motion among Women Pro Baseball Players: A Comparison with University Men

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure range of motion among professional women baseball players and to identify specific attributes through comparison against university men players. Subjects were 53 professional women baseball players (average age 21.9 ± 2.9 years) and 23 university men baseball players (19.8 ± 0.8 years). Measurement of shoulder external and internal rotation, neck and thoracolumbar rotation, hip internal and external rotation, SLR and HBD revealed sex differences and laterality. Women players had higher lower limb flexibility values compared with men, and like men, demonstrated laterality in range of motion in the limbs and trunk. Findings from this study may provide reference values that can be applied to women's conditioning programs.