Characterizing Thoracolumbar Myofascial Tissue Using Myotonometry In Collegiate Baseball Players

Baseball players often develop unique tissue adaptations from the forceful, repetitive, and unilateral demands of their sport. Researchers utilize myotonometry to assess various tissue properties, however, no study has used this technology to examine myofascial tissue characteristics in the thoracolumbar spine among this population. PURPOSE: To establish a descriptive profile of tissue characteristics in the thoracolumbar spine of baseball players, compare them between pitchers and position players, as well as bilaterally. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational design was used to study 25 healthy NCAA Division I baseball players (Pitchers: age = 20.1 ± 1.2 yrs, ht. = 189.2 ± 7.2 cm, mass = 91.2 ± 7.9 kg; Position players: age = 19.7 ± 1.1 yrs, ht. = 180.6 ± 8.6 cm, mass = 85.9 ± 10.4 kg). Independent variables included group (pitchers; position players) and side of measurement (dominant; non-dominant). Main outcomes were dominant and non-dominant side tissue tone, stiffness, elasticity, relaxation, and creep. Measures were completed atop a standardized location in the thoracolumbar region approximately 3 cm lateral to the L4 spinous process. Assessments were completed in pre-season and within a functioning sports medicine department. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare tissue characteristics between groups and sides (P < .05). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in dominant side tissue characteristics between groups: ToneDom (P = .79), StiffnessDom (P = .54), ElasticityDom (P = .39), RelaxationDom (P = .77), and CreepDom (P = .98), nor the non-dominant side between groups: ToneND (P = .62), StiffnessND (P = .40), ElasticityND (P = .19), RelaxationND (P = .78), and CreepND (P = .84). There also were no significant differences between the dominant and non-dominant sides’ tone (P = .49), stiffness (P = .69), elasticity (P = .52), relaxation (P = .62), and creep (P = .69). CONCLUSION: No significant differences in myofascial tissue characteristics were observed between groups, or bilaterally. Although no significant differences were found, clinicians may find value in incorporating this novel measurement technique and the normative values into their pre-participation screening and longitudinal monitoring as a potential prevention strategy.