Date of Award
Fall 12-19-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Kinesiology (PhD)
Department
Kinesiology
Abstract
Shoulder injuries are common and often result in impairments, particularly among baseball players. The clinical management of shoulder injuries is of interest to a wide-ranging audience within the sports medicine community. This dissertation aimed to investigate the effects of a strength and conditioning program on injury prevention in college-aged baseball players, hypothesizing that a comprehensive strength and conditioning program implemented before the start of the season would prevent shoulder injuries in baseball players over the course of one spring season at the collegiate level of baseball. Four participants completed a four-week strength and conditioning program before the start of their baseball season. The strength and conditioning program included an active warm-up, static stretching, and strength training. Range of motion, manual muscle testing, Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic shoulder and elbow outcome score, and injury status were assessed preseason and postseason. Shoulder abduction range of motion significantly increased. Researchers found no injuries at the end of the season. The results of this study provide clinicians, coaches, and trainers with a framework for a strength and conditioning program that has the potential to decrease shoulder injuries in college-aged baseball players.