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Background: The kinetic chain theory is widely used as a rationale for the inclusion of core stability training in athletes. Core stability (muscle capacity and neuromuscular control) impairments may result in less than optimal performance and abnormal force dissipation to the shoulder complex that could lead to shoulder injuries. However, a paucity of literature exists to support this relationship, and no previous studies have investigated the relationship between isolated core neuromuscular control and shoulder injuries. Additionally, lower extremity postural stability has been associated with athletic function and may also be associated with shoulder injuries. The purpose of this study was to compare biomechanical measures of isolated core neuromuscular control and lower extremity postural stability between athletes with and without non-traumatic shoulder injuries., Methods: Eighty athletes (55 males, age: 21.2 ± 3.3 years, 40 with a current shoulder injury) completed biomechanical measures of isolated core neuromuscular control and lower extremity postural stability. Athletes were matched by age, gender, body mass index, and sport type. MANOVAs were used to assess differences between measures of core neuromuscular control and lower extremity postural stability between groups., Findings: There were no statistically significant differences between athletes with and without shoulder injuries for the static core neuromuscular control measures, F(4,75) = 0.45, P = 0.78, η 2  = 0.02; dynamic core neuromuscular control measures, F(4,75) = 0.81, P = 0.52, η 2  = 0.04; or lower extremity postural stability measures, F(8,61) = 0.85, P = 0.56, η 2  = 0.10., Interpretation: Although core stability is widely incorporated in rehabilitation of athletes with shoulder injuries, athletes with current non-traumatic shoulder injuries may not present with impairments in core neuromuscular control or lower extremity postural stability., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Little is known about outcomes of glenoid labral repair in Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers. We hypothesized that following repair, pitching performance would not be significantly different front an uninjured cohort. Fifty-one pitchers were identified who pitched in at least one MLB game prior to undergoing isolated glenoid labral repair. For the three years prior to and following surgery, demographic and performance variables were analyzed for an association with labral injury and repair, and compared to a control cohort of MLB pitchers without history of repair. Following surgery, 72.5% of pitchers returned to MLB at a mean of 13.1 months with no significant change in performance. Starting pitchers had a higher risk of labral injury requiring repair (p ≤ 0.05). Pitchers that returned to play averaged more innings pitched in the seasons prior to surgery and had a higher body mass index than those that did not return to play (p ≤ 0.05). Approximately 70% of MLB pitchers undergoing labral repair can be expected to return to competition postoperatively with no significant change in performance. Starting pitchers are more likely to undergo repair, but pitchers with greater preoperative innings pitched per season have a greater likelihood of returning to play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]