A MODIFIED INTERNAL-ROTATION STRETCHING TECHNIQUE FOR OVERHAND AND THROWING ATHLETES

Strength, stretching, and rehabilitation methods for the shoulder have been previously described and have been universally applied; neverthe less, many throwing athletes continue to develop overuse injuries. The pitching process tends to increase external rotation and limit intern al rotation oi the shoulder joint. Our technique involves a modified s tretching method oi the posterior shoulder musculature. The athlete li es prone with the elbow flexed 90 degrees. With the shoulder abducted 90 degrees in neutral flexion/extension, and 90 degrees or more oi int ernal rotation, the scapula protrudes posteriorly. By depressing the i nferior angle of the scapula toward the thoracic wall, the infraspinat us muscle and posterior joint capsule are effectively isolated and str etched, Manual stabilization oi the scapula onto the chest wall transf ers the internal relation movements to the glenohumeral joint, as oppo sed to sharing the movement with the scapulothoracic articulation. Thi s method improves the efficacy oi the internal rotation stretching exe rcise for the glenohumeral joint. Such an addition to traditional stre tching methods may increase the efficiency of the least effective comp onent. We conclude that this modification to traditional programs shou ld be an integral part oi the training and rehabilitation program of a ny athlete requiring near maximal performance of the shoulder.