Abstract
Hip and shoulder range of motion (ROM) alterations are correlated with increased
risk of injury in softball athletes. The purpose of this study was to
investigate bilateral shoulder and hip ROM adaptation during a simulated
softball double-header exposure. It was hypothesized that shoulder and hip ROM
would decrease after simulated game exposure and would not return to baseline
following a 30-minute break. Thirty (14.8±1.9 yrs,
162.5±18.3 cm, 71.79±16.03 kg) adolescent
softball pitchers participated. Testing included: bilateral hip and shoulder ROM
(preSG), simulated game exposure (100 pitches), bilateral hip and shoulder ROM
(postSG), 30-minute break, bilateral hip and shoulder ROM (preDH), pitching
first inning of a simulated double header (12 pitches), and bilateral hip and
shoulder ROM (postDH). Two separate repeated measures multivariate analyses of
variance tests determined differences in ROM between time points. Dominant
shoulder internal rotation ROM and non-dominant shoulder internal and external
rotation ROM significantly decreased from preDG. Stride hip external rotation
ROM and drive hip internal and external rotation ROM significantly decreased
from preSG to preDH. Key results revealed the break given between games may not
be sufficient recovery time for hip ROM. Thus, assessing ROM as workload
progresses can be a useful strategy for monitoring a softball pitcher’s
injury risk.
Key words
hip - musculoskeletal - recovery - shoulder - workload