Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare measures of bilateral shoulder and hip range
of motion (ROM) between youth softball pitchers and position players. Fifty-two youth
softball athletes (12.7±2.1 yrs.; 160.28±10.98 cm; 59.31±15.07 kg) participated. Bilateral
hip and shoulder ROM were measured among pitchers (n=29) and position players (n=23).
A 2 (pitcher/position player) × 2 (dominant/non-dominant) ANOVA was performed for
both internal and external rotation ROM for the shoulder and hip. Paired sample t-tests
were also conducted to examine side-to-side differences in total ROM. Data revealed
a significant interaction between position and side dominance. Specifically, position
players have significantly more non-dominant shoulder external rotation ROM (106.92°± 9.14°)
than pitchers (100.12°± 11.21°). There were no significant differences between throwing
and non-throwing sides. It is important that coaches and clinicians are aware of these
adaptations between overhand and underhand throwing in order to properly develop conditioning
and rehabilitation programs to alleviate injury susceptibility and cater to position-specific
demands. Additionally, the current data suggest many of the functional adaptations
seen within older populations are not fully developed until after youth.
Key words
fastpitch softball - hip rotation - shoulder rotation - sports medicine