ISOKINETIC STRENGTH OF COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PITCHERS DURING A SEASON

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2006-11, Vol.20 (4), p.829-832
• Main Authors: WILKIN, LINDA D, HADDOCK, BRYAN L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Arm - physiology; Athletes; Baseball - physiology; Biomechanical Phenomena; College baseball; Humans; Male; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Physical fitness; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Rotation; Shoulder Joint - physiology; Space life sciences; Stress; Torque
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/00124278-200611000-00017

Pitching is suggested to expose the arm to physical stress that may lead to a decrease in strength. The purpose of this study was to examine the isokinetic internal and external rotational shoulder strength of Division II pitchers preseason, midseason, and postseason. The 9 pitchers were 23 ± 0.67 years of age and weighed 91.2 ± 3.14 kg. Each subject was evaluated utilizing a Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer. Isokinetic internal and external concentric strength was assessed at 90° of shoulder abduction and 90° of elbow flexion at 300 and 450°·s at each time point. A repeated-measures analysis of variance statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. All data are reported as mean ± SEM. Mean internal peak torques at 300 and 450°·s preseason, midseason, and postseason were 50.66 ± 2.27, 49.70 ± 2.54, and 51.70 ± 2.94 N·m and 37.14 ± 2.54, 37.36 ± 2.74, and 38.26 ± 2.50 N·m, respectively. Mean external peak torques at 300 and 450°·s preseason, mid-season, and postseason were 30.16 ± 1.69, 29.50 ± 2.22, and 29.79 ± 2.08 N·m and 17.68 ± 2.15, 16.89 ± 2.46, and 18.20 ± 2.35 N·m, respectively. There were no differences in isokinetic internal or external concentric shoulder rotational mean peak torque of Division II pitchers at any speed tested or time point examined.