Players’ satisfaction with daily pitching performance could predict shoulder and elbow injuries in high-school baseball pitchers: a prospective time-to-event study

Hitoshi Shitara, MD, PhD; Tsuyoshi Tajika, MD, PhD; Takuro Kuboi, MD; Tsuyoshi Ichinose, MD, PhD; Tsuyoshi Sasaki, MD, PhD; Noritaka Hamano, MD, PhD; Takafumi Endo, MD; Masataka Kamiyama, MD; Ryosuke Miyamoto, MD; Kurumi Nakase, MD; Atsushi Yamamoto, MD, PhD; Tsutomu Kobayashi, MD, PhD; Kenji Takagishi, MD, PhD; Hirotaka Chikuda, MD, PhD

JSES International (Jan 2022)

Players’ satisfaction with daily pitching performance could predict shoulder and elbow injuries in high-school baseball pitchers: a prospective time-to-event study

Hitoshi Shitara, MD, PhD,
Tsuyoshi Tajika, MD, PhD,
Takuro Kuboi, MD,
Tsuyoshi Ichinose, MD, PhD,
Tsuyoshi Sasaki, MD, PhD,
Noritaka Hamano, MD, PhD,
Takafumi Endo, MD,
Masataka Kamiyama, MD,
Ryosuke Miyamoto, MD,
Kurumi Nakase, MD,
Atsushi Yamamoto, MD, PhD,
Tsutomu Kobayashi, MD, PhD,
Kenji Takagishi, MD, PhD,
Hirotaka Chikuda, MD, PhD

Affiliations

Hitoshi Shitara, MD, PhD: Corresponding author: Hitoshi Shitara, MD, PhD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Tsuyoshi Tajika, MD, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Takuro Kuboi, MD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Tsuyoshi Ichinose, MD, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Tsuyoshi Sasaki, MD, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Noritaka Hamano, MD, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Takafumi Endo, MD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Masataka Kamiyama, MD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Ryosuke Miyamoto, MD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Kurumi Nakase, MD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Atsushi Yamamoto, MD, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Tsutomu Kobayashi, MD, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Kenji Takagishi, MD, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Hirotaka Chikuda, MD, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6, no. 1
pp. 191 – 197

Abstract

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Hypothesis and Background: The relationship between baseball pitchers’ satisfaction with their performance and the incidence of shoulder and elbow injuries is unclear. We hypothesized that self-evaluated satisfaction with pitching performance before an injury and incidence of shoulder and elbow injuries are related. Methods: Baseline data on baseball experience, height, weight, elbow and shoulder range of motion, and shoulder muscle strength of high-school baseball pitchers were collected. During the season, all participants completed a self-recorded questionnaire regarding satisfaction scores, presence of shoulder and/or elbow pain, and pitching limitations due to shoulder and/or elbow pain experienced daily to determine when injuries occurred and record the satisfaction scores. The optimal satisfaction score cutoff value was determined through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis; participants were categorized into satisfied and unsatisfied groups. Statistical tests were performed to evaluate the differences between the groups, obtain the time-to-event curves, and calculate the hazard ratios for the incidence of injury. Results: Overall, 108 participants aged 15-17 years were enrolled and divided into satisfied (88) and unsatisfied (20) groups. The injury incidence rate was 10.2% and 50.0% in the satisfied and unsatisfied groups, respectively. High-school baseball pitchers with low satisfaction had a significantly increased risk of shoulder and elbow injuries; these players had a 7.3-times greater risk of injuries and 1.9-times earlier occurrence of injuries than pitchers who were satisfied with their performance. Conclusion: Daily evaluation of players’ self-satisfaction could predict shoulder and elbow injuries in high-school baseball pitchers.

Published in JSES International

ISSN: 2666-6383 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Surgery: Orthopedic surgery; Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/jses-international

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Abstract

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