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Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 42366493 DOI: 10.1002/pmrj.70173

Immediate changes in thoracic spine mobility after repetitive pitching in high school baseball players: A randomized controlled trial.

PM R

Authors: Kenta Suzuki, Yasuaki Mizoguchi, Seita Hasegawa, Koji Saito, Ko Yanase, Kazuki Fujisaki, Toby Hall, Kiyokazu Akasaka

Affiliations

  • Department of Rehabilitation, Kimura Orthopedic Clinic, Saitama, Japan.
  • Major of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
  • Physical Therapy for Sports and Musculoskeletal System, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Minato, Japan.
  • Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan.
  • Department of Physical Therapy, Ota College of Medical Technology, Gunma, Japan.
  • Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
  • Saitama Medical University Graduate School of Medicine, Saitama, Japan.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Thoracic spine mobility is essential for optimal pitching mechanics and injury prevention in baseball players. While shoulder and hip range of motion (ROM) changes after pitching have been reported, there is a lack of evidence regarding immediate changes in thoracic spine ROM after pitching.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the immediate effects of repetitive pitching on thoracic spine extension and rotation ROM in high school baseball players and to identify which assessment method is most sensitive to these changes.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

High school baseball fields.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-four male high school baseball players were randomly assigned to a pitching group (n = 17) or a control group (n = 17). Players with prior elbow surgery or recent injuries were excluded.

INTERVENTIONS

The pitching group performed 100 maximum-effort fastballs, and the control group rested for an equivalent duration.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Thoracic kyphosis angle, upper and lower trunk extension ROM, total trunk extension ROM, and six thoracic mobility tests were assessed before and after the intervention. The primary outcome was dominant-side thoracic rotation ROM measured by the side-lying rotation test.

RESULTS

A significant group × time interaction was observed for dominant-side rotation in the side-lying rotation test (p = .015). Post hoc analysis revealed a significant increase in ROM after pitching in the pitching group (mean difference [pre-post] = -3.4°; p = .004; 95% CI: -5.675 to -1.266). No statistically significant correlation was found between ball velocity and dominant-side rotation ROM (r = 0.454, p = .067), although a moderate-to-large effect size was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Repetitive pitching acutely increases thoracic rotation ROM toward the throwing side in high school baseball players, detectable by the side-lying rotation test. This test may serve as a practical tool to monitor pitching-induced mobility changes relevant to performance and injury prevention.

MeSH

Physical And Rehabilitation Medicine, Baseball, Schools, Spine