Scapular Position and Orientation in Throwing Athletes

Myers, Joseph B. PhD, ATC
Laudner, Kevin G. PhD, ATC
Pasquale, Maria R. MS
Bradley, James P. MD
Lephart, Scott M. PhD, ATC

^†Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Sports Medicine and Nutrition, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
^‡Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

^*Address correspondence to Joseph B. Myers, PhD, ATC, Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, UPMC Center for Sports Medicine, 3200 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (e-mail: [email protected]).

No potential conflict of interest declared. See Acknowledgment for funding information.

American Journal of Sports Medicine 33(2):p 263-271, February 2005.

Background

Despite the recognized importance of proper 3-dimensional motion of the scapula in throwers, minimal research has quantified scapular position and orientation in throwing athletes.

Hypothesis

Throwing athletes exhibit scapular position and orientation differences when compared to nonthrowing control subjects.

Study Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods

Scapular position and orientation during scapular plane humeral elevation were assessed with electromagnetic tracking in a group of 21 throwing athletes and 21 control subjects. Scapular upward/downward rotation, internal/external rotation, anterior/posterior tipping, elevation/depression, and protraction/retraction were assessed.

Results

The throwing athletes demonstrated significantly increased upward rotation, internal rotation, and retraction of the scapula during humeral elevation. No differences in anterior/posterior tipping and elevation/depression were present.

Conclusions

The results indicate that throwing athletes have scapular position and orientation differences compared to non-throwing athletes. This suggests that throwers develop chronic adaptation for more efficient performance of the throwing motion.

Clinical Relevance

Clinicians evaluate scapular position, orientation, and movement in throwing athletes as part of the evaluation of shoulder injuries associated with the throwing motion. The current study provides clinicians with an understanding of the types of adaptations that may be observed in normal, healthy throwing athletes.