When evaluating a baseball pitcher for shoulder or elbow problems, Athletic Trainers may want to take a closer look at another part of the body: the neck.
A new study published in the Journal of Athletic Training suggests that reduced neck mobility may be associated with a greater risk of throwing-related arm injuries in collegiate baseball pitchers.
Led by Laurie Devaney, head of the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut and co-director of the UConn Institute for Sports Medicine, the research followed 126 pitchers from seven college baseball teams.
Researchers measured each pitcher's neck mobility before the season and tracked injuries throughout the year.
The findings? Pitchers with reduced neck mobility were more likely to report arm problems, experience pitching-related injuries, and miss more playing time than those with greater mobility.
Devaney believes neck stiffness may affect pitching mechanics in ways that place additional stress on the shoulder and elbow.
“If you have neck stiffness, it affects the downstream mechanics in your pitching motion,” she explained.
For example, a pitcher who cannot comfortably turn their head toward the target may compensate by rotating their trunk earlier, potentially changing the forces involved in throwing.
However, researchers have not yet established exactly how neck mobility influences injury risk, or whether improving mobility can prevent injuries.
The findings build on an earlier pilot study by Devaney that identified a similar association.
Now, researchers are collaborating with the Wake Forest Pitching Laboratory to better understand the mechanics involved. Devaney's team also plans to study high school pitchers to determine when these relationships may begin to develop.
For Athletic Trainers working with baseball players, the study raises an interesting possibility: Could assessing neck mobility help identify pitchers who may be at greater risk for shoulder and elbow injuries?
More research is needed before drawing clinical conclusions, but the findings offer another reason to consider how movement throughout the body contributes to throwing performance and injury risk.
Read the research: Journal of Athletic Training – Original Study