The Effects of Repetitive Throwing on Shoulder Proprioception and Internal and External Rotation Strength

Context: There is limited information on the effects of throwing on shoulder proprioception and strength. Objective: Examine shoulder proprioception and strength following throwing. Design: 2x3 mixed-subject design. Setting: Research laboratory and outdoor facility. Participants: 23 male college students (age = 22 ± 2.9yr, ht = 178 ± 11.3cm, wt = 72 ± 7.7kg, 22 right-handed 1 left-handed). Intervention: Subjects were pretested for proprioception, measured by active reproduction of passive positioning (ARPP). Strength was quantified using 1RM and an average peak torque at 120o/sec for internal and external shoulder rotation. Following pretesting, subjects (excluding control) completed 75 throws at 75% maximum immediately followed by posttesting. Main Outcome Measures: Pre and post ARPP absolute error and strength changes. Results: Significant difference in the pre and posttest ARPP values for throwing groups but no difference for the control group. There was no significant difference from pre to post on th...