Range of motion patterning in trunk and upper and lower extremities of high school baseball pitchers

Abstract

Evaluating range of motion (ROM) using several joints is essential for rehabilitating throwing injuries. We used multivariate analysis to elucidate the ROM patterns in baseball pitchers. This cross-sectional study measured the variable ROM in the upper extremities, trunk, and lower extremities. High school baseball pitchers participated (N = 121). Factor analysis of ROM was performed using the maximum likelihood method. We analyzed the characteristics of pitchers with positive findings by classifying all players using cluster analysis (Ward’s method). Factor analysis showed a seven-factor solution was shown to be appropriate. Cluster analysis indicated that we could divide the players into three clusters that we named according to their characteristics and ROM: Cluster A: “Low flexibility” type, Cluster B: “High rotation” type, and Cluster C: “Poor rotation” type. The results indicated that most positive players were in Cluster A (46.4%). Players in Cluster A had lower ROM in the trunk, hip rotation, and SLR (straight leg raise) test than the other groups. This is the first study to identify the patterns of ROM in high school baseball pitchers with positive findings. These results are useful for conditioning baseball players.

Keywords

• range of motion
• baseball
• patterning
• factor analysis
• cluster analysis