RESUMO
Professional baseball players are subjected to high stresses and repetitive motions that can lead to orthopedic injuries. Studies have documented significant differences in range of motion and muscle activity between professional athletes and amateurs. These differences are thought to result from adaptive changes occurring in response to repetitive microtrauma. The purpose of this study was to review rates of orthopedic injury in minor league baseball as a function of competitive level. The incidence and severity of orthopedic injuries from 1985 through 1997 were compiled for 6 minor league teams. Significantly greater injury rates were found at the rookie levels than at the higher minor league levels. Following injury, higher-level athletes were most often out 1 to 3 days, while rookies were more likely out 4 to 20 days. It is likely that some of the injuries in rookies occurred because the athletes attempted to participate in a higher level of competition without adequate conditioning and time for adaptive changes. Professional teams should not assume that amateur athletes have been properly conditioned for the increased demands of professional competition. Rookies should undergo specific conditioning and evaluation prior to competing at the professional level.
