The Effects of Plyometric Training on the Shoulder Internal Rotators

Plyometric training has become an important part of upper extremity rehabilitation protocols. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of plyometric training on the shoulder internal rotators (IR). Male subjects (N=34) were randomly divided into two groups: control or plyometric training. Pre/interim/posttesting measurements included: 1) kinesthetic measurements of shoulder IR at 100, and external rotation (ER) at 10° and 75°, 2) passive and active rotation measurements of shoulder ER; 3) softball distance test; and 4) concentric isokinetic power measurements of the shoulder IRs at 60 /sec, 180°/sec, and 30°Psec. The plyometric group trained 2x/wk for two 4-week sessions. A dependent t test was performed on interim tests one and two. A repeated measure analysis of variance (RM ANOVA) was performed on the pre/post test data A dependent t test was performed on the significant vasiabies as revealed by the RM ANOVA. There were significant (p<. 05) increases in passive ER, concentric isokinetic power at 180°/sec and 300°/sec, and softball throwing distance for the plyometric group. Plyometric training of the shoulder IRs improves isokinetic power, passive ROM, and functional performance as measured by a softball throw for distance.