Throwing Load Does Not Affect Musculoskeletal Measures Around Competitive Pitching in Adolescent Baseball Pitchers
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Context: Baseball pitching load is linked to injury in adolescent baseball athletes; however, it is unclear if pitch counts are a good indicator of total upper extremity load during baseball pitching. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine (1) the recovery time-course of musculoskeletal variables after a single live pitching bout and (2) the association between pitch counts, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and arm-specific session RPE on musculoskeletal changes after live game pitching in adolescent baseball athletes. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Competitive baseball games. Participants or Other Participants: Thirty-six adolescent baseball pitchers (16.1 ± 0.9 years, 178.2 ± 10.4 cm, 71.5 ± 10.2 kg). Main Outcome Measures: Internal and external shoulder range of motion, internal and external shoulder rotation peak force, and infraspinatus cross-sectional area and echo intensity were collected before pitching, immediately after pitching, and on days 1, 3, and 5 after pitching. Pitch count and RPE were collected during the pitching bout, and an arm-specific session RPE score was calculated as the product of pitch count and RPE. Linear mixed models were used to determine the recovery time-course on both arms and to determine the association between the load variables (pitching count, RPE, arm-specific session RPE) and the change in the musculoskeletal variables on the dominant arm. Results: > .057) association was found between load variables and musculoskeletal variables. Conclusions: Baseball-specific pitching load metrics did not predict musculoskeletal changes after live game pitching. Future researchers should investigate pitching load variables that better predict musculoskeletal changes.
Source: Journal of Athletic Training
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412410370