The Effects of Scapular Stabilization Exercise on the Muscular Functions and Pain Release of Shoulder Joints in Youth Baseball Players

Han, Heungil; An, Kyungjun; Ryu, Kwanghyun; Lee, Jongsam

Abstract

We investigated the effect of scapular stabilization exercise on shoulder joints mobilization and pain release in youth baseball players. Total 15 youth baseball players were voluntarily participated, and randomly divided into one of two experimental groups: either stabilization exercise group (EXE, n=7) or control group (NonE, n=8). Stabilization exercises (i.e., punching, scapular retraction, scapular fold, shrug, pull over, seated press, scaption with retraction, body blade, rotator cuff) were administered to EXE (8 weeks, 3 times.wk(-1), 60-100 min.session(-1)). Muscular power using Biodex system 3, full range of motion (ROM) with a goniometer, and the degree of pain with the Visual Analogue Scale was assessed at both baseline and the time point of completion of 8 weeks training program. Twoway ANOVA (group vs. time) was adopted to observe any interactive effects between factors. The statistical significance level was set at alpha=.05. There was an improvement in muscular power at both slow (i.e., 60degrees/sec) and medium (i.e., 180degrees/sec) speed setting in isokinetic instrument during internal and external rotation on dominant shoulder, and internal rotation only (not with external rotation) on non-dominant shoulder. There was no change in ROM in NonE, but total ROM was significantly expanded in EXE, revealing only degree of internal rotation increased. VAS significantly decreased in EXE. In conclusion, scapular stabilization exercise exerted positive effect on muscular power output, full range of motion and pain release on shoulder joint in youth baseball players. This indicates that scapular stabilization exercise possibly exert meaningful effect in injury prevention and sport performance.