Clinical Measurements of Sensorimotor Control in the Thoracolumbar Spine of Baseball Players

• Published in: Athletic training & sports health care Vol. 13; no. 4; pp. e221 - e229
• Main Authors: Williams, Jeffrey, Bowden, Rachel, Hoyt, Hannah, Laudner, Kevin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thorofare Slack, Inc 01.07.2021; SLACK INCORPORATED
• Subjects: Asymptomatic; Baseball; Headphones; Kinematics; Measurement; Measuring instruments; Pitchers (Baseball); Range of motion; Shoulder; Variables
• ISSN: 1942-5864; 1942-5872
• DOI: 10.3928/19425864-20200924-01

Purpose: To provide a descriptive profile of active repositioning error (ARE) of the thoracolumbar spine among collegiate baseball players, compare ARE between pitchers and position players, and compare thoracolumbar rotation and side-bending ARE, bilaterally. Methods: ARE for thoracolumbar rotation toward the throwing arm side (TLR[sub.throwing]) and non-throwing arm side (TLR[sub.non-throwing]), thoracolumbar flexion (TLF), thoracolumbar side-bending toward the throwing arm side (Sidebend[sub.throwing]), and non-throwing arm side (Sidebend[sub.non-throwing]) were measured using bubble inclinometers on 32 asymptomatic collegiate baseball players. Results: Independent t tests showed no differences in ARE between pitchers and position players in all directions. Also, there were no bilateral differences within the groups of ARE for thoracolumbar rotation and side-bending. Conclusions: Clinicians should consider the measurement technique and normative profile of thoracolumbar position sense during physical examinations of baseball players. These findings can support more comprehensive examination and management techniques for clinicians working in baseball medicine. [Athletic Training & Sports Health Care. 20XX;XX(X):XX-XX.]