International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences Vol. 3(2), pp. 16 - 18
DOI: 10.13189/saj.2015.030202
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Comparison of Dominant and Non-dominant Range of Motion in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers: A Pilot Study

K. Jason Crandall ^*, Taylor Carlin , Abby Flynn
School of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport, Western Kentucky University, United States

ABSTRACT

Shoulder injuries may be prominent in baseball pitchers due to inflexibility of the shoulder and trunk. Differences may exist between pitchers' dominant and non-dominant shoulders and trunk. The purpose of this pilot study was to confirm prior research to compare dominant and non-dominant shoulder and trunk range of motion in fifteen (n = 15, 18-23 yrs.) collegiate pitchers. Trunk range of motion was measured using the Y-Balance Test. A goniometer was used to assess seven measurements of shoulder range of motion. Paired sample t-tests were used to determine statistical significance (p < .05). Shoulder extension (t (14) = -3.02, p = .009), internal rotation (t (14) -2.8, p = .013), horizontal abduction (t (14) =-2.17, p = .047), and Y-Balance Test (t (14) = -2.2, p = .044) were significantly greater in the non-dominant arm. The findings of our study suggest collegiate baseball coaches and trainers should create strength and conditioning programs that are balanced and focus on both dominant and non-dominant shoulder and trunk range of motion.

KEYWORDS
Range of Motion, Baseball, Training, Injuries, Pitchers

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] K. Jason Crandall , Taylor Carlin , Abby Flynn , "Comparison of Dominant and Non-dominant Range of Motion in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers: A Pilot Study," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 16 - 18, 2015. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2015.030202.

(b). APA Format:
K. Jason Crandall , Taylor Carlin , Abby Flynn (2015). Comparison of Dominant and Non-dominant Range of Motion in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 3(2), 16 - 18. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2015.030202.