Simple Asymmetry & Balance Fixes

Written on June 25, 2008 at 8:31 pm, by Eric Cressey

In a 2007 study, Ellenbecker et al. compared hip internal and external rotation range-of-motion in elite baseball pitchers and elite tennis players. They noted the following:

An analysis of the number of subjects in each group with a bilateral difference in hip rotation greater than 10 degrees identified 17% of the professional baseball pitchers with internal rotation differences and 42% with external rotation differences. Differences in the elite male tennis players occurred in only 15% of the players for internal rotation and 9% in external rotation. Female subjects had differences in 8% and 12% of the players for internal and external rotation, respectively.

So, in other words, baseball pitchers were more likely to be asymmetrical than tennis players. While they both serve/pitch with one arm and push off the same-side leg. Tennis players, move a lot more in various directions. And, just as importantly, they hit backhands – so the asymmetries you see at the shoulder are less pronounced as well.

Who would have thought: moving more and doing the opposite of what you normally do is a good way to stay healthy? Yes, I’m being sarcastic. Regardless of your sport, you need to get out of your comfort zone more often if you want to stay healthy.

To learn more about the common asymmetries affecting overhead athletes and how to manage them, definitely check out the Optimal Shoulder Performance DVD set.