As an interdisciplinary field of study, kinesiology uses written forms of communication and involves the application of biological, chemical, physical and mathematical principles to the

2-22-19

Kins 250

Critique

In the introduction of the article “Assessment of Shoulder Proprioception in the Female Softball Athlete” the author covers the subject of what proprioception can be defined as. There was no clear data at the time of this article that covered the relationship between proprioception and injury, so this is what prompted researchers to evaluate proprioception in the shoulder of the throwing athlete. The author states that there are two common methods that you can use to measure shoulder joint proprioception which include threshold to detection of passive movements and joint position sense. Towards the end of the introduction the author states how there is very limited research on female softball players. Further study into potential causes of injury in the female athlete involved in overhand throwing, specifically in softball, is needed. So, the purpose behind this study was to determine whether differences in joint position sense exist between collegiate female softball players versus nonthrowing female athletes during four glenohumeral motions.

The subjects included one hundred female collegiate athletes. Fifty were from NCAA D1 teams and the other 50 were from two community colleges. Out of the 50 softball players ten were pitchers and the remaining 40 played other positions. The remaining 50 athletes were from soccer and track teams from the same colleges. The instrument that was used to measure ROM and joint position was an inclinometer. The researchers recorded measurements from 10 different angles 3 different times. The test was done in the athletic training room and the athletes dominant and nondominant shoulder’s ROM were both measured. Internal and external rotation measurements were tested while the athlete was supine, so the scapula was stabilized. Flexion and extension were measured while they were standing. After these measurements were taken, they applied a blindfold to the athletes. Target angles for all four movements were calculated. They then would move the athletes arm back to the target angle and leave it there for three seconds. The subject was then told to relax and then bring their arm back to that same exact position as best as they could. Error scores were calculated to describe joint position sense.

The results they got showed that softball players had much greater external rotation on their dominant shoulder compared to their nondominant shoulder. But it was the exact opposite when it came to internal rotation. Their nondominant shoulder had much more rotation, compared to their dominant shoulder. The non-throwing athletes also had a much greater external rotation in their dominant shoulder compared to their nondominant.

Overall, this study shows that there is decreased proprioception in asymptomatic female athletes who are involved in sport with the overhead throwing motion, which can predispose them to injuries. In my opinion this article was very informative, not only for softball athletes, but for non-throwing athletes as well. Both softball and non-throwing athletes had much greater external rotation on their dominant shoulder. This was very informative for myself since I am a softball athlete. I believe this research can give softball athletes more information and insight about what is going on with our bodies, shoulders specifically, after playing for so many years. I do feel as if this study should have a follow-up to see if the results are still the same, because this research was published sixteen years ago. A lot has changed with the sport, so I believe there may be different results if this were to be conducted once more.

Dover, G. C., Kaminski, T. W., Meister, K., Powers, M. E., & Horodyski, M. (2003). Assessment of Shoulder Proprioception in the Female Softball Athlete. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 31(3), 431-437. doi:10.1177/03635465030310031801