抄録
Objective: Icing is the most common care method for Japanese baseball players to prevent secondary tissue damage.
However, because of reports that icing causes decrease in muscle strength and reduction in training effect, currently
there is no standard post-pitching care. The purpose of this study was to longitudinally investigate whether different
post-pitching care methods are associated with different effects on shoulder joint function.
Method: Aerobic exercise, stretch training, and icing were administered, at intervals of more than a week, to
nine high school baseball pitchers after each of them pitched 100 throws. A comparative study was performed by
measuring shoulder joint function after pitching, after care completion, and at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post
pitching.
Results: Significant differences were observed in shoulder rotation range of motion and external rotation muscle
strength due to differences in care. Icing was the most selected care method in the questionnaire survey as well.
Conclusion: Depending on differences in post-pitching care, the shoulder joint function changes. Awareness about
changes in shoulder joint function due to different care methods will help prevent pitching disorders through the
selection of appropriate care depending on circumstances such as pitching day intervals.
