Brief Summary
With the start of spring training around the corner, the following summarises work by Paibian, Roach, Howard, Johnston and McGuire (2024) as they investigate the Periscapular Strength Profile Changes in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers Over the Course of a Season. Baseball pitching demands high-velocity shoulder rotation, generating substantial forces. The rotator cuff and scapular muscles play critical roles in force generation, control, and dissipation. Repetitive exposure to these forces during a season may induce changes in shoulder and scapular strength. Rotator cuff weakness is a risk factor for shoulder injuries in baseball pitchers, with injury rates exceeding 57% per season. Common injuries include rotator cuff tears, labral tears, impingement, and microtrauma. Optimal in-season strength maintenance programs are lacking. Understanding temporal shoulder and scapular strength changes in pitchers can guide targeted treatment and rehabilitation. Whilst numerous studies examine strength changes from pre-season to post-season and the impact on the internal/external rotators of the pitching shoulder, limited evidence exists on changes in both shoulder and scapular strength profiles during the course of a season. This study aimed to investigate periscapular strength profiles in Division I collegiate baseball players throughout a season. The objectives were to 1) characterise normal strength profiles, 2) identify potential muscular attrition over the season, and 3) guide targeted interventions for strength maintenance. The authors hypothesised a seasonal decline in isometric strength of shoulder scaption, internal/external rotation, and middle/lower trapezius muscles.
With eighteen D1 male pitchers, the authors used hand-held dynamometry (HHD) to assess shoulder internal rotation, shoulder external rotation, as well as scaption, middle trapezius and lower trapezius strength. Data were collected from each participant at three-time points: pre-season, mid-season, and post-season. All data collection occurred within a single day at each time point, spanning a five-month period. Three trials of each strength measure were collected per session, and an average strength value was calculated for each position. Unfortunately, body weights and lever arm lengths for the subjects were not collected, which meant that relative torque (nm/kg) values were not published.
The authors found that strength values for all muscle groups decreased across the three-time points. Statistically significant decreases were observed only in scaption strength, with strength decreasing by 1.2 kg, exceeding the minimally detectable change (MDC) of 0.87 kg. While not statistically significant (p > 0.05), decreases were observed in the external rotator, internal rotator, middle trapezius (1.3 kg loss exceeding the MDC), and lower trapezius strength (range 0.02-1.8 kg).
The study primarily supported the author’s hypothesis of a seasonal decline in periscapular muscle strength. To summarise, listed below are the key findings of the study;
Overall Strength Loss:
Similar average strength loss across all muscle groups in both halves of the season.
Middle trapezius showed the most significant loss, primarily in the first half.
External rotation increased in the second half, possibly due to in-season training or eccentric training effects.
Scaption strength decreased significantly, primarily in the second half.
Muscle Group Specific Changes:
Scaption, middle trapezius, and external rotation showed notable strength changes.
External rotation increased in the second half, while others decreased.
Comparison with Previous Studies:
Findings partially support previous studies on scaption and middle trapezius strength changes.
Discrepancies were observed with external/internal rotator strength compared to Wilkin et al., potentially due to different testing methods (isometric vs. isokinetic).
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Key Findings:
Overall Strength Loss:
Similar average strength loss across all muscle groups in both halves of the season.
Middle trapezius showed the most significant loss, primarily in the first half.
External rotation increased in the second half, possibly due to in-season training or eccentric training effects.
Scaption strength decreased significantly, primarily in the second half.
Muscle Group Specific Changes:
Scaption, middle trapezius, and external rotation showed notable strength changes.
External rotation increased in the second half, while others decreased.
Comparison with Previous Studies:
Findings partially support previous studies on scaption and middle trapezius strength changes.
Discrepancies were observed with external/internal rotator strength compared to Wilkin et al., potentially due to different testing methods (isometric vs. isokinetic).
Potential Explanations:
In-season training may have influenced external rotation strength and mitigated middle trapezius loss.
Periodised training shifts may contribute to strength decreases.
Limitations:
Small sample size, lack of weight data, limited information on training specifics, no throwing volume data.
Implications:
Clinical Significance:
Significant scaption and middle trapezius strength reductions highlight the need for targeted in-season training.
Emphasises the importance of maintaining supraspinatus strength to prevent injury.
Future Research:
Investigate the impact of specific training programs on in-season strength maintenance.
Examine the role of throwing volume and individual pitcher characteristics.
Utilise standardised assessments for consistent comparisons across studies.
In essence, the study provides evidence for a decline in periscapular strength in collegiate baseball pitchers throughout the season, with scaption and middle trapezius being particularly vulnerable. The findings suggest a need for optimized in-season strength training programs to mitigate these losses and potentially improve pitcher performance and injury prevention. A limitation of the study was that pitchers' level of participation and overall pitch count were not recorded and cross-referenced with strength data. Also, no information was provided on the participant’s potential strength training and injury mitigation programming. Future research should investigate the impact of specific training programs on in-season strength maintenance and examine the role of throwing volume and individual pitcher characteristics.
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