Abstract
We evaluated the effects of medical check-up feedback on elementary school baseball players, especially regarding shoulder stretching. Thirty-three elementary school baseball players (range of age,10 to 12 yrs old)medical check-ups which they had twice a year (2001 and 2002) were evaluated. Our physiotherapists instructed the players shoulder stretching at the feedback of the medical check-up in 2001. Measurements of the range of shoulder internal rotation were made with the shoulder at 90° abduction (2nd IR). The loss of 2nd IR of the throwing shoulder and the practice of shoulder stretching were compared between 2001 and 2002. The mean loss of 2nd IR of the throwing shoulder was 18.9 ± 12.5° in 2001 and 11.5 ± 6.9° in 2002, and the difference was significant. There were 18% of the players performing proper shoulder stretching in 2001, and 70% in 2002 respectively. This study showed the effects of shoulder stretching on elementary school baseball players.
