The Relationship between Upper Body Injuries and Lower Body Flexibility in Athletes: A Comprehensive Review

College

College of Education

Department

Physical Education, Sport & Human Performance

Faculty Mentor

Honors Thesis Committee: Joni Boyd, Ph.D.; Alice McLaine, Ph.D.; and Seth Faulkner, A.T.C

Abstract

Baseball players, specifically pitchers, are susceptible to ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries because of the stress placed on the elbow joint during the throwing motion. Additionally, because the body is a kinetic chain, lower body flexibility has shown to impact upper extremity flexibility. This comprehensive literature review examines numerous articles about the anatomical structure of the UCL, lower body flexibility, and the methods used to determine flexibility, including goniometry, the sit-and-reach test, and functional movement screening. The purpose of this literature review is to identify a connection between lower body flexibility and the ulnar collateral ligament.

Previously Presented/Performed?

McNair TRiO Research Symposium, Columbia, South Carolina, June 2016; 22nd Annual SAEOPP McNair/SSS Scholars Research Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, June 2016

Start Date

21-4-2017 1:00 PM

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Apr 21st, 1:00 PM

The Relationship between Upper Body Injuries and Lower Body Flexibility in Athletes: A Comprehensive Review

DiGiorgio Campus Center, Room 221

Baseball players, specifically pitchers, are susceptible to ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries because of the stress placed on the elbow joint during the throwing motion. Additionally, because the body is a kinetic chain, lower body flexibility has shown to impact upper extremity flexibility. This comprehensive literature review examines numerous articles about the anatomical structure of the UCL, lower body flexibility, and the methods used to determine flexibility, including goniometry, the sit-and-reach test, and functional movement screening. The purpose of this literature review is to identify a connection between lower body flexibility and the ulnar collateral ligament.