Muscle fatigue in shoulder joint external rotation due to consecutive pitching

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify whether the shoulder joint external rotation muscles are affected by muscle fatigue from consecutive baseball pitching. [Subject] Ten adult men who had spent more than five years playing baseball participated in this study. [Methods] The muscle activity in pitching before and after throwing 100 pitches were recorded using surface electromyography. From the recorded electromyography data, we calculated the time required to reach 50%, and 100% maximal voluntary contraction, and maximal value. We compared these values before and after throwing 100 pitches. [Results] After throwing 100 pitches, in terms of maximal value, only the electromyography data of the teres minor was delayed. The others muscles did not show any change. [Conclusion] Fatigue from consecutive baseball pitching weakened all muscles, but electromyography data were non-uniform. © 2012, The Society of Physical Therapy Science. All rights reserved.