Characteristic of hip range of motion and association with glenohumeral joint rotational range of motion in collegiate-level baseball players

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to measure and examine differences in hip range of motion (ROM) caused by position and side, as well as to investigate the association between hip and Glenohumeral joint (GHJ) ROM in collegiate-level baseball players. The participants were 23 collegiate-level baseball players without hip or shoulder joint injuries (11 pitchers and 12 fielders). Hip and GHJ were measured for the following passive ROM variables : 1) hip flexion ROM, 2) straight leg raise, 3) hip internal rotation ROM, 4) hip external rotation ROM, 5) Modified-HBD (M-HBD), 6) Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficiency (GIRD), and 7) External Rotational Gain (ERG). This study investigated differences in hip ROM caused by position and side, in addition to respective associations with GIRD and ERG with hip ROM. The data of this study showed that hip ROM differences were not clinically meaningful. The correlations of non-throwing hip flexion and M-HBD of both sides with ERG were significant for pitchers. On the other hand, the correlations between throwing M-HBD and GIRD was significant for fielders.