ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the shoulder strength ratios obtained from college-level baseball pitchers and age- and sex-matched nonpitchers. Shoulder flexion/extension and externallinternal rotation strength ratios were assessed in 10 pitchers and 9 nonpitchers. Speeds selected for testing were 180 and 300 degrees /sec on the Cybex /I.@R esults indicated that both pitchers and nonpitchers generated greater peak torque values for the extensors and internal rotators than for the flexors and external rotators of the shoulder. A comparison of shoulder strength ratios between a pitcher's throwing arm and his nonthrowing arm was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for shoulder external/internal rotation at the speeds of 180 and 300 "/set. A comparison of shoulder strength ratios between pitchers and nonpitchers on the nondominant arm was not statistically significant for any of the speeds or directions tested. A comparison of the shoulder strength ratios between pitchers and nonpitchers on the dominant arm was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for all directions and speeds tested. The relationship between shoulder muscle imbalance and injury was discussed. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1987;8(9):451-461.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this pilot study was to identify those clinical exam findings most often seen in patients with a positive chondromalacia patella (CMP) arthroscopic exam. Twenty patients with a clinical diagnosis of CMP or meniscal lesions (M) or both (CMP+M) were evaluated by two physical therapists using the history, physical, and Cybex(R) II isokinetic testing data. More than 50% of the patients with arthroscopically confirmed CMP complained of peripatellar pain, pain with ascending and descending stairs, and pain with prolonged flexion. At least 50% of these patients also demonstrated pain with a patellar grinding test and crepitus during the active knee extension test. Chi square analysis of the clinical exam data between the arthroscopically diagnosed CMP+M patients and 20 age- and sex-matched normal subjects revealed a significant difference in response to the three history questions analyzed. No significant differences were found on the physical exam, including Cybex II isokinetic testing results. Our findings demonstrate the significant role of the history in diagnosing symptomatic CMP.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1985;7(3):115-123.
ABSTRACT
The focus of this experimental study was to compare muscular tightness at the hip between runners and nonrunners, and to determine if there is a relation between muscular tightness and low back pain in runners. Goniometric range of motion measurements of three hip movements, abduction, flexion with the knee extended, and extension, were taken on two subject populations, runners (N = 45), and nonrunners (n = 43), in order to determine tightness of the hip adductor, extensor, and flexor muscles, respectively. The mean score values obtained for each of the three measurements for both the right and left sides were compared for differences between the running and nonrunning populations and between male and female subjects. Runners were found to be significantly limited in the movement of hip flexion with the knee extended. The mean score values obtained for all male subjects for this movement were lower than those for all female subjects. The incidence of low back pain in runners was examined; however, no correlation could be drawn between muscular tightness in these subjects and low back pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1985;6(6):315-323.
