Relationship Between Pitch Counts and Shoulder Strength in Collegiate Baseball Players

Abstract

Relationship between pitch counts and shoulder strength in collegiate baseball players. J Strength Cond Res 37(9): 1860-1864, 2023-Large volumes of throwing leads to changes in shoulder strength that have been associated with increased risk of injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between throwing volume and eccentric shoulder strength. Twelve NCAA Division I baseball pitchers volunteered to participate. Prepractice and postpractice eccentric shoulder strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer at 30˚/second. Change in strength was calculated as the prepractice strength measure subtracted from the postpractice strength measure. After initial testing, subjects self-reported pitch counts before completing postpractice strength testing. Subjects were separated into highstrength and low-strength groups based on the median external rotation strength. Paired t-tests were used to compare change in shoulder strength and Pearson's r correlations were used to quantify the association between pitches and change in strength. There were no changes between prestrength and poststrength assessments in external rotation strength or internal rotation strength for the entire group. When divided into strength groups, correlations between strength and total pitches were nonsignificant for the high-strength group but were strong for both external rotation (r 5 20.87, p 5 0.025) and internal rotation (r 5 20.91, p 5 0.013) in the low-strength group. Pitchers with lower shoulder eccentric strength at baseline demonstrated greater declines in strength, whereas pitchers with higher shoulder eccentric strength did not demonstrate changes in strength. Changes in strength during practice could lead to compensatory movement that may predispose athletes to injury. Sport performance professionals may benefit from obtaining eccentric shoulder strength to assist with performance periodization and rehabilitation after injury.

Periscapular Strength Profile Changes in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers Over the Course of a Season

“…Further research has detailed the changes in shoulder muscle strength profiles after acute bouts of single session throwing in collegiate level pitchers. Gagnon et al 22 found no changes in external and internal rotation strength while Mirabito et al 23 found a reduction in external rotation strength. Mullaney et al 19 found minimal changes in scapular stabilizer strength and a gross reduction in shoulder strength with the exception of external rotation and strength in the empty can testing position.…”