Short-Term Effects of The All-Fours Posterior Stretching Technique for Posterior Shoulder Tightness in High School Baseball Players: A Single-Blinded Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study examined short-term effects of the all-fours posterior stretching technique for posterior shoulder tightness (PST) in high school baseball players. In this IRB-approved, single-blinded, cluster randomized controlled trial, we included 64 high school baseball players who were randomly allocated to the all-fours posterior stretch (APS) group or the internal rotational stretch (IRS) groups. We measured the range of shoulder motions in horizontal adduction, internal/external rotation at 90° abduction, and the total rotational arc. Both groups demonstrated an improved range of motion and no significant differences were detected between the groups. The results suggested that the APS technique is as effective as the IRS in preventing and reducing PST. A potential advantage of the APS would be the limited chance of inducing pain as compared with the IRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]