Is There a Relationship Between Grip Strength and Injuries in Professional Baseball Players?

Abstract

Background

• Injuries in professional baseball players are common.
• Risk mitigation focuses on the kinetic chain, shoulder motion, etc.
• Uncertainty exists if grip strength relates to injury risk in pitchers.

Purpose/Hypothesis

• Study investigates if grip strength is a risk factor for injury.
• Hypothesized weaker grip leads to higher shoulder/elbow injury risk.

Study Design

• Case-control study, Level 3 evidence.

Methods

• Included all professional pitchers from a single MLB organization.
• Measured dominant and non-dominant grip strength after each outing in 2022 season.
• Compared grip strength of injured vs. non-injured pitchers.

Results

• 213 pitchers included; 53 (24.9%) sustained shoulder/elbow injuries.
• Mean grip strength: 144.0 ± 20.8 lb (65.3 ± 9.4 kg).
• No significant mean grip strength difference between injured & non-injured groups (P > .05).
• No significant difference in grip strength changes during the season.

Conclusion

• No significant grip strength differences between injured and non-injured pitchers.

Introduction

• Injury rates in baseball have risen.
• Research focused on pitch counts, rest days, inning limits, etc.
• Grip strength as a potential injury factor is underexplored.
• Grip strength reflects overall muscular strength and functional status.
• Used as an assessment tool in NHL and now in baseball.

Methods

• Study approved by the institutional review board.
• Included MLB pitchers from 2022 season.
• Grip strength measured using Jamar Smedley hand dynamometer.
• Defined injuries based on medical evaluation and treatment.
• Compared grip strength changes over the season.

Results

• 213 pitchers studied, 53 sustained injuries.
• No significant grip strength difference in dominant vs. non-dominant arms.
• Injured pitchers had slightly higher final-season grip strength than non-injured pitchers (P = .012).
• No significant grip strength changes linked to elbow injuries.

Discussion

• Hypothesis not supported; no grip strength difference related to injuries.
• Throwing injuries common, with shoulder/elbow most frequent.
• Study found grip strength increased slightly over season.
• Need for further research on grip strength as injury indicator.
• Real-time grip strength changes might help mitigate injuries.

Limitations

• Single-season, single-organization study limits generalizability.
• Did not measure grip strength changes during games.
• Further studies needed for in-game grip strength measurements.

Conclusion

• No significant difference in grip strength between injured and non-injured pitchers.

Acknowledgments

• Philadelphia Phillies training staff credited for data collection.

References

• Includes studies on injury rates, grip strength impact, and elbow injuries in baseball.