Relationship between Scapular Dyskinesis and Upper Extremity Injuries in Baseball Players
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Category
Professional Experiences
Abstract/Artist Statement
Baseball is a sport that places a high repetitive load on the shoulder and elbow complex. Injuries to baseball throwers are commonly seen, which can lead to a loss of playing time. Mechanical stress may contribute to altered shoulder function over time, underscoring the importance of understanding the biomechanics of throwing and identifying risk factors that could influence long-term shoulder injury risk. Understanding whether scapular dyskinesis directly influences the risk factor or injury rates in baseball players can help develop effective screening, prevention, throwing programs, and rehabilitation strategies to lower the incidence of injuries. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the relationship between scapular dyskinesis and upper extremity injury in baseball players.
Methods: PubMed and PEDro databases were accessed to locate articles for this systematic review beginning in October 2025. To ensure research was conducted recently, articles were limited to a publication year no older than 2005. In total, a combination of four search terms was used: scapular dyskinesis and baseball, scapular dyskinesis and baseball and injury, scapular dyskinesis and baseball and muscle, and scapular dyskinesis and baseball and treatment. We identified 87 articles in PubMed and 0 in the PEDro database. Articles that were duplicated did not fit within the criteria, and those with titles that did not pertain to scapular dyskinesis were removed, which left 35 articles. Each of the remaining articles underwent an abstract review where a narrower focus on injury type, participants, and scapular dyskinesis was applied, which left 9 full-text articles. Upon more intensive examination, only 3 of these articles met all criteria and contained relevant research content. After reviewing the bibliographies of these articles, one additional article was identified.
Results: Four articles were included in the review, combining an identified 235 baseball players with an average age of 21. Variables examined included glenohumeral internal and external rotation, posterior and anterior tilt, scapular upward and downward rotation, and injuries identified within the studies. Players with scapular dyskinesis demonstrated increased glenohumeral anterior force associated with greater external rotation of the glenohumeral joint and insufficient posterior tilt of the scapula.
Conclusions: Proper scapular movement is critical in maintaining a healthy shoulder complex, particularly for long-term playing careers. Scapular dyskinesis can disrupt the kinetic chain and increase mechanical stress within the shoulder and the elbow, especially in athletes who perform repetitive motions. Players that exhibit greater anteriorly directed glenohumeral forces during throwing, places increased mechanical demand in the shoulder. Scapular dyskinesis disrupts coordinated scapulohumeral movement, potentially leading to tissue overload in the shoulder and elbow.
Mentor Name
Valerie Moody
Relationship between Scapular Dyskinesis and Upper Extremity Injuries in Baseball Players
UC North Ballroom
Baseball is a sport that places a high repetitive load on the shoulder and elbow complex. Injuries to baseball throwers are commonly seen, which can lead to a loss of playing time. Mechanical stress may contribute to altered shoulder function over time, underscoring the importance of understanding the biomechanics of throwing and identifying risk factors that could influence long-term shoulder injury risk. Understanding whether scapular dyskinesis directly influences the risk factor or injury rates in baseball players can help develop effective screening, prevention, throwing programs, and rehabilitation strategies to lower the incidence of injuries. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the relationship between scapular dyskinesis and upper extremity injury in baseball players.
Methods: PubMed and PEDro databases were accessed to locate articles for this systematic review beginning in October 2025. To ensure research was conducted recently, articles were limited to a publication year no older than 2005. In total, a combination of four search terms was used: scapular dyskinesis and baseball, scapular dyskinesis and baseball and injury, scapular dyskinesis and baseball and muscle, and scapular dyskinesis and baseball and treatment. We identified 87 articles in PubMed and 0 in the PEDro database. Articles that were duplicated did not fit within the criteria, and those with titles that did not pertain to scapular dyskinesis were removed, which left 35 articles. Each of the remaining articles underwent an abstract review where a narrower focus on injury type, participants, and scapular dyskinesis was applied, which left 9 full-text articles. Upon more intensive examination, only 3 of these articles met all criteria and contained relevant research content. After reviewing the bibliographies of these articles, one additional article was identified.
Results: Four articles were included in the review, combining an identified 235 baseball players with an average age of 21. Variables examined included glenohumeral internal and external rotation, posterior and anterior tilt, scapular upward and downward rotation, and injuries identified within the studies. Players with scapular dyskinesis demonstrated increased glenohumeral anterior force associated with greater external rotation of the glenohumeral joint and insufficient posterior tilt of the scapula.
Conclusions: Proper scapular movement is critical in maintaining a healthy shoulder complex, particularly for long-term playing careers. Scapular dyskinesis can disrupt the kinetic chain and increase mechanical stress within the shoulder and the elbow, especially in athletes who perform repetitive motions. Players that exhibit greater anteriorly directed glenohumeral forces during throwing, places increased mechanical demand in the shoulder. Scapular dyskinesis disrupts coordinated scapulohumeral movement, potentially leading to tissue overload in the shoulder and elbow.