Early Lateral Compartment Physeal Closure of the Elbow in Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Adolescent Baseball Players / 대한스포츠의학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify bilateral differences of physeal closure of the lateral compartment of the elbow in osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and related factors with premature physeal closure. METHODS: Initial radiographs of the bilateral elbows in 40 baseball players with OCD (group I) were reviewed for the status of physeal closure of the lateral compartment; capitellum, radial head, lateral epicondyle. Forty baseball players with medial epicondylar apophysitis (group II) were enrolled as a control. Relative status of physeal closure of dominant elbow was defined as early, same, and delayed. Bilateral differences of the status of physeal closure were analyzed between groups, and according to the radiographic stages, extent of the lesions and demographic factors in group I. RESULTS: Significant early physeal closures of dominant elbows were identified in group I in capitellum (group I, 55%; group II, 3%), radial head (group I, 53%; group II, 3%), and lateral epicondyle (group I 37%; group II, 5%). In group I, advanced stage and extended lesion showed early lateral compartment physeal closure especially in capitellum and radial head, and players with longer career length and limitation of motion showed early closure. CONCLUSION: Over the half of the adolescent baseball players with OCD demonstrated early radiocapitellar physeal closures of dominant elbow in initial presentation. Because premature physeal closure contributes to the development of arthritis without appropriate radiocapitellar remodeling, early detection of OCD is essential for prevention of arthritis and successful conservative management.

Temperamental Predictive Factors for Success in Korean Professional Baseball Players

OBJECTIVE: In this five-year cohort study, we hypothesize that factors of temperament and character in professional baseball players predict the speed of obtaining success and the quality of success as well as anxiety control. METHODS: Participants included 120 male rookie players from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and 107 male non-players with no history of playing baseball. The personality/characters and state/trait anxieties of participants were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and Spielberg's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y (STAI-Y). Over the duration of five years, all the players were subsequently classified into either a success group (major leaguers) or a non-success group (non-major leaguers), depending on their status in the professional baseball league in Korea. RESULTS: The players in the group of starters had higher novelty seeking (NS) scores than those of non-starters. The reward dependence (RD) scores of the success group were higher than those of the non-success group. The state anxiety scores in the starter group were negatively correlated with NS scores. The state and trait anxieties in the non-success group were positively correlated with RD scores. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that predictive temperamental factors for success in baseball players include traits of novelty seeking and reward dependence.

Does Well Maintained Graft Provide Consistent Return to Play after Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction of the Elbow Joint in Elite Baseball Players?

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the clinical outcomes of medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) reconstruction of the elbow joint in throwing athletes, including the rate of return to sports. However, little has been known about the imaging outcomes after MUCL reconstruction. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and imaging outcomes after MUCL reconstruction using figure of eight fashion in the elite and professional baseball players. METHODS: This study included 17 baseball players, who underwent MUCL reconstruction between July 2007 and May 2010. The average follow-up period was 48.6 months. Imaging assessment consisted of preoperative plain and stress radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and postoperative serial ultrasonography. The clinical assessments were composed of visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, range of motion, and the Conway scale. RESULTS: The mean VAS score was 6.4 (range, 3 to 8) preoperatively and 2.2 (range, 0 to 4) postoperatively (p < 0.05). There were nine players (53%) classified as excellent who returned to sports at the same or higher level compared to preinjury. Serial ultrasonography revealed well-maintained grafts at 3 and 12 months in all of the players. Five out of 17 players showed decreased echogenecity in the common flexor tendon at 3 months, which was considered as remaining tissue swelling and resolved completely at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: All grafts are well-maintained until 12-months based on the ultrasonographic findings, although only 53% of the players returned to preinjury level.

CHANGES IN THE PHYSIQUE OF JAPANESE PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYERS (1950-2002) / 体力科学

The changes in physique of Japanese professional baseball players from 1950 to 2002 were stu died and compared with that of Major League players and Japanese adult males. The study found that the average heights of Japanese professional baseball players were 170.7 cm in 1950 and 180.1 cm in 2002 ; his respective average weights were 65.0 kg and 79.8 kg. The average BMI of Japanese players continuously increased during that period. In detail, the heights of the pitchers were the greatest of the four categorized positions, and the weights of the catchers were the highest, from 1969 until today. The average BMI of the catchers were higher than the other players, and that of the pitchers were lower, compared to that of the other players from 1973 until today. Furthermore, the average heights of Japanese players were greater than, and their average weights were higher than, the average Japanese adult males. Regarding Japanese players compared to Major League players, the difference in their average heights were 11.4 cm in 1950 and 4.9 cm in 2002 ; the difference in respective average weights were 17.7 kg and 13.1 kg. It can thus be concluded that from 1950 to 2002 the physique of Japanese players significantly increased while that of Major League players changed little over the same period. This means that the difference in the physiques of both sets of players has gradually decreased over the last 53 years.