Association of arm pain with overhead throwing and upper extremity range of motion, strength, and throwing velocity in collegiate baseball players

Purpose To investigate whether shoulder and elbow range of motion (ROM), upper extremity (UE) strength, and throwing velocity differ between collegiate baseball players with UE pain and those without pain. Methods Twenty-seven Division II baseball players participated. Athletes completed an injury surveillance survey detailing past and present arm injuries and pain. Bilateral shoulder/elbow ROM and strength were measured with a goniometer and dynamometer, respectively. Throwing velocity was measured with a radar gun. Differences between dominant and non-dominant arm measurements were analyzed, as were differences between groups complaining of pain versus no pain. Results Pain was reported in 11 athletes. Compared to the non-dominant arm, significant decreases were noted in dominant arm ROM measurements of shoulder flexion (p = 0.02), abduction (p < 0.01), internal rotation (IR) (p < 0.01), and total ROM (p = 0.03). External rotation (ER) was significantly increased in the dominant arm (p < 0.01). Dominant shoulder IR and ER strength were greater (p < 0.01) and thumb-down abduction strength was decreased in the pain group (p = 0.02) with respect to the non-dominant arm. Remaining strength measurements and velocity were not notably different between pain and no pain groups. Univariate analysis revealed total elbow ROM as a pain indicator (p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed the odds of pain with throwing were 17% higher for every 1 degrees decrease in total elbow ROM. Conclusion Despite differences in dominant arm measurements, shoulder ROM was not related to pain in the shoulder of participants. However, decreased supraspinatus strength and total elbow ROM did appear to be related to upper extremity pain.