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Injury Trends as a Function of Player Position. Erin Schneider New Mexico State University Athletic Training Education Honors Thesis. Introduction. Player Positions vs Pitchers
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Injury Trends as a Function of Player Position Erin Schneider New Mexico State University Athletic Training Education Honors Thesis
Introduction • Player Positions vs Pitchers • “few to no reports on injury demographics in baseball players other than pitchers at any level of play” exist (Axe, Windley, and Snyder-Mackler, 2001, p. 268)
Throwing Technique • Infielders vs. Outfielders • Infielders used: Sidearm, Overhead, and Underhand • Outfielders used: Overhead • Sidearm vs. Overhead • Planted position vs. non-planted position • Different velocities required
Biomechanics- The Basics • Overhead • Phases: Arm Cocking, Acceleration, Deceleration • Valgus (Lateral) Torque created during arm cocking • Sidearm • Phases: same as overhead • HOWEVER, shoulder has greater horizontal abduction at “top position” • Valgus force increased
Hypothesis • A higher trend towards elbow injuries will be found for infielders • Infielders will display a higher injury trend overall • Outfielders will show a greater a shoulder injury trend due to the repetitive overhead throwing motion
Methods • Participants: 24 participating Baseball athletic trainers (ATCs) out of 295 invited • Instrumentation: Survey • Procedures: ATCs were contacted via email; answers to the surveys were to exclude pitchers • Data Analysis
Results Number of Individual Injuries Sustained by Infielders and Outfielders
Results (cont.) Number of Individual Injuries sustained by Infielders and Outfielders
Discussion • No real trend for shoulder injuries • Injury frequencies support hypothesis that infielders will show a higher trend towards elbow injuries • Certain schools seemed to sustain more injuries than others
Limitations • 8% return on surveys • Problems with clarity in the questions • Discrepancies with numbers
For the Future… • Need more evidence for results to be determined conclusive