Isokinetic strength of collegiate baseball pitchers during a season

Abstract

Pitching is suggested to expose the arm to physical stress that may lead to a decrease in strength. The purpose of this study was to examine the isokinetic internal and external rotational shoulder strength of Division II pitchers preseason, midseason, and postseason. The 9 pitchers were 23 ± 0.67 years of age and weighed 91.2 ± 3.14 kg. Each subject was evaluated utilizing a Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer. Isokinetic internal and external concentric strength was assessed at 90° of shoulder abduction and 90° of elbow flexion at 300 and 450°·s-1 at each time point. A repeated-measures analysis of variance statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. All data are reported as mean ± SEM. Mean internal peak torques at 300 and 450°·s-1 preseason, midseason, and postseason were 50.66 ± 2.27, 49.70 ± 2.54, and 51.70 ± 2.94 N·m and 37.14 ± 2.54, 37.36 ± 2.74, and 38.26 ± 2.50 N·m, respectively. Mean external peak torques at 300 and 450°·s-1 preseason, midseason, and postseason were 30.16 ± 1.69, 29.50 ± 2.22, and 29.79 ± 2.08 N·m and 17.68 ± 2.15, 16.89 ± 2.46, and 18.20 ± 2.35 N·m, respectively. There were no differences in isokinetic internal or external concentric shoulder rotational mean peak torque of Division II pitchers at any speed tested or time point examined. © 2006 National Strength & Conditioning Association.