Relationships among lateral medicine ball throw test performance, HIP and trunk muscle strength, and lower limb kinematics: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

The lateral medicine ball throw (LMBT) test is used to evaluate the throwing action, involving the entire kinetic chain and the principle of force transfer, with association between the strength of the lower limb and trunk muscles and the lower limb kinematics. The LMBT to investigate the association between lower limb kinematics and hip and trunk muscle strength.

EXPERIMENTAL

This was a cross-sectional study with 84 healthy and physically active young people. Determinations were made of the maximum isometric strengths of the hip abductor, lateral rotator, extensor, and flexor muscles, and the trunk lateral flexors and extensors. Kinematic analyses (2D) of the hip, knee, and ankle in the sagittal and frontal planes were performed during the countermovement phase of the LMBT, together with quantification of LMBT. Statistical analysis of the associations employed multiple linear regression, with α = 5%.

RESULTS

There were significant associations between the LMBT and the independent variables hip extensors strength, trunk flexors strength, valgus angle, and knee flexion angle and gender. The regression model presented adjusted R2 = 0.622.

CONCLUSIONS

LMBT was influenced by the trunk flexor and hip extensor muscle strengths, knee flexion kinematics, lower limb valgus in the countermovement phase, and gender.

Biofeedback-Based Proprioceptive Training to Improve Functional Prerequisites of Dragon Boating in Breast Cancer Survivors

Breast cancer (BC)-related sequelae drastically impact the psychophysical functioning and quality of life of affected women. Adapted physical activity (APA) has proved to effectively counteract these impairments in a non-medicalized framework. In particular, dragon boats are able to promote body functionality, social interaction, and quality of life in BC survivors, but the literature on specific motor gestures is scarce and practice is still based more on a re-educative perspective than a performative one. In this context, the present longitudinal study investigated the benefits of an adapted biofeedback-based sensorimotor training intervention on upper body functionality in a team of dragon ladies. The 8-week intervention was conceived as integrated dry workout sessions led by an APA kinesiologist and applied a novel sensorized proprioceptive device, such as a Libra board. Post-protocol evaluation revealed a significant improvement in bilateral upper limb mobility, core endurance, and trunk stability along with a distress decrease and quality of life enhancement through validated assessment tools. Our findings suggest that integrating biofeedback-based workout sessions can effectively promote upper body functionality in BC survivors practicing dragon boating. Furthermore, our innovative approach could help spread methodological hints able to boost exercise adherence in this target population, thus counteracting cancer recurrence while promoting overall well-being.

Exploring the interplay of trunk and shoulder rotation strength: a cross-sport analysis

Introduction: Trunk and shoulder strength are consistently shown to be involved in performance limitations, as well as contributing to stability, power output, and reducing the risk of injury. Although their biomechanical interaction is a critical aspect for athletes, there is limited research on the relationship between trunk and shoulder strength in sports where upper body mechanics are critical for optimal performance. Purpose: This study examined the differences and relationships between trunk rotational strength and shoulder rotational strength among athletes participating in mixed martial arts (MMA), tennis, swimming, and baseball. Methods: Maximal voluntary contraction tests were performed to evaluate strength of 39 professional adult male athletes from disciplines of MMA (n = 6), tennis (n = 11), swimming (n = 11) and baseball (n = 11). Peak force data were used in sports comparison and relationship analysis between trunk and shoulder rotation strength parameters. Results: The findings revealed a complex and significant relationship between trunk and shoulder strength, with unique patterns for each athletic discipline. Tennis players exhibited a strong correlation between trunk bilateral differences and internal shoulder rotation, while other disciplines demonstrated a more balanced use of trunk asymmetry. Swimmers displayed the best interactions between trunk and shoulder overall, emphasizing the aquatic environment's biomechanical demands. In MMA, the strongest correlation was between shoulder internal and external rotation with the trunk, mainly due to the number of defensive movements in addition to offensive ones. Baseball pitchers showed a significant correlation between internal/external shoulder rotation strength ratio and trunk asymmetry. Conclusion: While no differences in peak force variables were found, unique relationships between trunk and shoulder rotational performance were discovered. The results suggest a long-term sport-specific adaptation of the trunk-shoulder interaction in sports that require upper limb power movements. It seems, that the relationship between the various parameters of trunk and shoulder was influenced by the movement stereotype of each sport. Therefore, recognition of sport-specific interactions is critical to the development of effective training programs that enhance performance and potentially reduce injury risk in different sports. Researchers and practitioners should focus on longitudinally monitoring fluctuations in TRS and SRS relationships throughout each sport season and examining potential associations with injury incidence.

Correlations between core muscle strength endurance and upper-extremity performance in adolescent male sub-elite handball players

Handball is an Olympic contact sport with high physical, tactical, and technical demands by the players. Out of the different techniques, throwing is the most important one to be able to score. The objective of the study was to investigate the relationships between core muscle strength endurance (Bourban test: ventral, dorsal and lateral chain) and shoulder mobility/stability (Upper Quarter Y Balance test [YBT-UQ]) as well as throwing velocity in adolescent male sub-elite handball players (N = 32, age: 17.1 ± 0.7 years, height: 181.8 ± 6.3 cm, BMI: 24.6 ± 4.9 kg/m2). All participants were free of injuries at least two weeks prior to the study, experienced (training experience: 8.5 ± 3.3 years) handball players who were tested mid-season in the evening of one of their training sessions. Pearson correlations were calculated for core muscle strength endurance with (a) shoulder mobility/stability and (b) throwing velocity. The throwing arm reach displayed significant correlations (both p < 0.05) between the Bourban test (ventral chain) and the inferolateral reach direction (IL) of the YBT-UQ (r = 0.41) as well as the composite score (CS) (r = 0.34). For the dorsal chain, significant correlations (all p < 0.01) were found for the medial (MD) (r = 0.42) and IL (r = 0.61) reach direction as well as the CS (r = 0.51). For the right but not the left side of the lateral chain, significant correlations (both p < 0.05) were detected for the IL reach direction (r = 0.40) and the CS (r = 0.35). For the non-throwing arm reach, significant correlations were found between the ventral chain and the MD reach direction (r = 0.53, p < 0.01) as well as the CS (r = 0.31, p < 0.05). For the dorsal chain, significant correlations (all p < 0.01) were found for the MD (r = 0.47) and IL (r = 0.44) reach direction as well as the CS (r = 0.41). For the lateral chain, significant correlations were detected for the MD (left and right side: r = 0.49, p < 0.01) and IL (left and right side: r = 0.35, p < 0.05) reach direction as well as the CS (left and right side: r = 0.37, p < 0.05). The dorsal chain but not the ventral and lateral chain of the Bourban test showed a significant correlation with throwing velocity (r = 0.33, p < 0.05). Our results indicate that better core muscle strength endurance is associated with better shoulder mobility/stability as well as partially higher throwing velocity of adolescent male sub-elite handball players. Therefore, practitioners should integrate core muscle strength endurance exercises into the training routines to improve upper-extremity performance of this target group.

The Relationship Between Functional Movement, Dynamic Stability, and Athletic Performance Assessments in Baseball and Softball Athletes

ABSTRACT

Stapleton, DT, Boergers, RJ, Rodriguez, J, Green, G, Johnson, K, Williams, P, Leelum, N, Jackson, L, and Vallorosi, J. The relationship between functional movement, dynamic stability, and athletic performance assessments in baseball and softball athletes. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S42-S50, 2021-Despite recent popularity, the relationship between movement quality and measures of athletic performance remains inconclusive. This investigation sought to clarify the relationships between measures of movement quality and measures of athletic performance in baseball and softball athletes. Thirty-eight National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball (n = 23; age 20.00 ± 1.38 years, lower-extremity [LE] limb length 93.91 ± 4.37, upper-extremity [UE] limb length 92.37 ± 4.48) and softball (n = 15; age 19.93 ± 1.28 years, LE limb length 89.43 ± 4.67, UE limb length 84.61 ± 4.39) athletes completed the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y Balance Test for the lower and upper extremities (YBTLQ and YBTUQ, respectively). Performance assessments were proagility (PA), vertical jump (VJ), and rotational medicine ball throw to the right and left (RMTR and RMTL, respectively). No significant correlations were seen between any of the composite scores of movement quality and athletic performance in baseball athletes; shoulder mobility was weakly correlated with PA (rs = 0.442, p = 0.035). Composite FMS was negatively correlated with RMTR (rs = -0.753) in softball athletes. In addition, in softball athletes, RMTR was negatively correlated with in-line lunge (rs = -0.544, p = 0.04), trunk stability push-up (rs = -0.761, p = 0.002), anterior YBTLQ reach (r = -0.628), and posterolateral YBTLQ reach (r = -0.683); VJ was correlated with posterolateral YBTLQ reach (r = 0.531) and superolateral (SL) YBTUQ reach (r = 0.591), and PA was negatively correlated with posterolateral YBTLQ (r = -0.60) and SL YBTUQ reach (r = -0.557). The differences in correlations of movement quality and athletic performance between baseball and softball athletes suggest movement quality influences performance differently in female athletes and male athletes.

Relationship between upper limb physical performance tests and muscle strength of scapular, shoulder and spine stabilizers: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Performance tests of the upper limb have been frequently used in the evaluation of individuals to identify risk of injury and to determine improvement in physical performance. Understanding the variables related to the performance of the tests is important for better applicability and interpretation of test results. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investige the correlation between isometric strength of scapular, shoulder and spine muscles with physical performance test of upper limb in men and women.

EXPERIMENTAL

Forty-nine healthy and physically conditioned individuals, men (n = 24) (22,7 ± 3,2 years; 74,6 ± 8,1 Kg; 176,7 ± 7,1 cm) women (n = 25) (23 ± 2,7 years; 61,5 ± 9,1 Kg; 163,2 ± 5,6 cm), were evaluated for shoulder abductor isometric strength (S-ABD); Middle (MT) and lower (LT) trapezium; lateral shoulder rotators (S-LR); flexors (T-FLEX), lateral incliners (T-INCL), and trunk extenders (T-EXT). Evaluation of upper limb physical performance was carried out by Upper Quarter Y Balance test (YBT-UQ) and Chain upper extremity stability test (CKC-UEST). Pearson's test (r values) p ≤ 0.05 was used to analyze the correlation.

RESULTS

The results reveal strong correlations between S-ABD and CKC-UEST in male group; and strong correlations in female group between S-ABD strength with CKC-UEST; and S-LR with all YBT-UQ directions and score and between T-EXT strength with CKC-UEST.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, strength of shoulder and spine stabilizers influences performance in upper limb tests, but with different correlations as to sex. To improve test performance, it may be important to increase the strength of the shoulder and spine muscles.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF RANGE OF MOTION, HIP SHOULDER SEPARATION, AND PITCHING KINEMATICS

Background

When pitching a baseball, pelvic and trunk pitching kinematics play an integral role in momentum transfer from the lower extremity to the upper extremity. However, it is unknown how hip and trunk ROM and hip shoulder separation interplay with pelvic and trunk pitching kinematics.

Hypothesis/Purpose

To determine the relationship between clinical trunk and hip range of motion (ROM) and pitching biomechanical pelvis and trunk kinematics, and kinematic sequencing.

Study Design

Controlled biomechanical study.

Methods

High school pitchers were assessed for trunk rotation via motion capture and hip ROM via a goniometer prior to pitching. Trunk rotation was designated as dominant and non-dominant sides, and hips as stance and lead limbs. Pitchers threw four fastballs during three dimensional biomechanical assessment. Spearman's Rho correlations were performed between trunk and hip ROM, and trunk and hip biomechanical kinematics, and kinematic pitching sequence.

Results

Thirty-two pitchers (mean age: 16.3 ± 1.2 years, height = 184.0 ± 6.9 cm, mass = 76.8 ± 20.8 kg) were included in this study. Their mean pitch velocity was 34.7 ± 2.3 m/s, peak pelvis rotation velocity: 669.1 ± 95.5 deg/s, and peak trunk rotation velocity: 1084.7 ± 93.0 deg/s. There were no differences between dominant and non-dominant side trunk rotation, or between stance and lead hip ROM. There were no significant relationships between trunk or hip ROM and pitching kinematics. There was a significant relationship between hip shoulder separation and peak trunk rotation velocity (r = 0.390, p=0.027). There was a significant relationship between pitch velocity and peak trunk rotation velocity (r = 0.478, p = 0.006). There were no other significant relationships between pitching kinematics or kinematic sequencing.

Conclusion

Hip shoulder separation is related to trunk rotation velocity, and ultimately pitch velocity. These ROM measurements can be used as normative values for hip shoulder separation in high school pitchers.

Level of Evidence

3.

Individual factors associated with baseball pitching performance: scoping review

Background

Ball velocity, accuracy and game statistics represent three methods used to measure pitching performance. However, individual determinants of pitching performance are more elusive.

Objectives

The aims of this study were to classify the performance factors associated with baseball pitchers, to identify the methods used to quantify their abilities through all features of the game and to document relationships between performance factors and indicators.

Design

Scoping review.

Data sources

Electronic searches of MEDLINE, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, SportDiscus, PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane and of grey literature were undertaken from inception to January 2019.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Cross-sectional studies that investigated the relationship between performance indicators and individual performance factors in healthy baseball pitchers were selected.

Results

Thirty-four cross-sectional studies investigating individual potential factors of pitching performance met the inclusion criteria. The primary performance factors investigated were kinematic, kinetic, timing outcomes, personal characteristics, physical tests and range of motion. Shoulder horizontal adduction (SHA), upper torso forward flexion, maximal shoulder external rotation, upper torso rotation angle, upper torso lateral flexion, lead knee flexion (LKF) and forward trunk tilt (FTT) were identified as key kinematic features associated with increased ball velocity. Shoulder proximal force and peak elbow proximal forces were associated with greater ball velocity. Individual performances in jumping tests and body weight (BW) are also associated with pitching performance.

Summary/conclusion

Based on studies presenting low and moderate risk of bias, we conclude that BW, age and kinematics, such as FTT, LKF, SHA and lateral trunk tilt, are associated with pitching performance.

Isokinetic strength training of kinetic chain exercises of a professional tennis player with a minor partial internal abdominal oblique muscle tear - A case report

OBJECTIVE

To present a case of a right-handed professional tennis player with a left internal abdominal oblique muscle tear sustained while serving. We document the progress of a rehabilitation program consisting of primarily kinetic chain isokinetic strength training where symmetrical measurements (<10% side difference) of force and dynamic postural control were used as criteria for return to sport.

METHODS

Isokinetic exercises (bilateral rotational pull, unilateral vertical press and unilateral anterior push) to target trunk specific demands of the serve (flexion, rotation and lateral flexion) were done using robotic resistance. Dynamic postural control was assessed using the hand reach star excursion balance test (HSEBT). The rehabilitation program lasted 3.5 weeks (eight sessions).

RESULTS

At baseline isokinetic strength tests that imposed concentric muscle function demands of the injured muscle had lower force measurements (range: -32.1 to -71.9%). These force measurements improved (range: 166.1-296.5%) and were symmetrical (range: +1.6 to +7.3%) on return to sport. In addition, the HSEBT test with the greatest asymmetry (-20 cm) improved to symmetrical (+2 cm) on return to sport.

CONCLUSION

Symmetrical isokinetic force and dynamic postural control measurements were successful return to sport criteria as the player since has remained pain free (2 years).