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
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.
