Relationship between tightness of the hip joint and shoulder/elbow injury in high school baseball pitchers: a prospective study

Some studies have reported that upper limb tightness is a risk factor for shoulder/elbow pain in high school baseball pitchers; but there has been insufficient research on the relationship between lower limb tightness and shoulder and elbow pain in pitchers. This study aimed to clarify the correlation among pre-season hip range of motion (ROM) and shoulder and elbow disorders in high school baseball pitchers. We surveyed 125 high school pitchers. Hip ROM was measured in the supine and prone positions. After the season, based on their answers to the self-recorded questionnaire, a “shoulder or elbow injury” was defined as any condition resulting in the pitcher being considered disabled for ≥ 8 days. An independent t-test and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Eleven disabled pitchers (9%) were identified during the season. In the injured group, the ROM of the plant side hip with 90° flexed external rotation was smaller than that in the non-injured group. Preseason limited ROM in the plant side hip with 90° flexed external rotation was a risk factor for the occurrence of shoulder/elbow pain in the season.