Basic research on the effect of icing on the palm for the purpose of preventing pitching injuries 2nd report—Research to utilize icing between innings in baseball games—

Abstract

This study analyzed shoulder strength and throwing motion with the effects of cooling stimulation on the palm while the intermittent load was given mimicking a baseball game. Eight college students volunteered to participate in this study. The maximum isometric muscle strength of shoulder abduction was measured on the right or throwing side for 9 sets of 10 repetitions. Subjects has a 5-minute rest period after each of the sets. The right shoulder abduction angle was measured on the throwing side each of the 9 sets. This protocol was defined as “without cooling. On the other hand, the procedure of cooling the left palm with an ice sac between sets was defined as “with cooling”. Shoulder abduction muscle strength significantly decreased in the latter half with “without cooling”, and there was no significant difference between sets with “with cooling”. The shoulder abduction angle was significantly decreased in all the 8 subjects after loading with “without cooling” while it was significantly decreased only for three subjects with “with cooling” after loading. Cooling the palm during the load may be able to maintain shoulder abduction muscle strength and prevent a decrease in the shoulder abduction angle on the throwing motion.