Date
4-29-2026
Department
School of Health Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD)
Chair
Michael Olson
Keywords
scapular position, collegiate baseball, upper extremity function
Disciplines
Sports Sciences
Recommended Citation
McNeely, Angela G., "Side Differences During the Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test While Observing Scapular Position and Movement in Collegiate Baseball Players" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8285.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8285
Abstract
Scapular position and control are key factors in upper extremity functional movement and are often found to be dysfunctional in those with shoulder injuries. This study helps fill a gap in the research by looking at scapular position and control in the healthy shoulder. The purpose of this quasi-experimental, single-group interrupted time-series study was to examine the relationship between scapular position and functional movement (YBT-UQ scores), as well as determine if differences in the throwing and non-throwing arm exist in healthy collegiate baseball players. A total of 38 collegiate baseball players, 18-24 years of age completed the study and had scapular position measurements taken including lower horizontal distance at maximal flexion (LHD), upper horizontal distance (UHD), acromial distance relaxed (AD), acromial distance retracted (AD-R), and winging scapula (WS). These measurements were taken before and after the participant performed the YBT-UQ and recorded along with YBT-UQ scores. Significant changes between pre- and post-test were found in select scapular position measures, particularly winged scapula and acromial distance, suggesting acute effects of upper extremity loading. Despite these positional changes, no significant differences were found in maximum reach between throwing and non-throwing arms, indicating that functional performance may remain symmetrical despite underlying asymmetries. Significant effects of time and side, as well as their interaction with throw-bat dominance, highlight the influence of sport-specific demands on scapular positioning. These findings support combining functional and postural assessments in overhead athletes. Future research should examine longitudinal changes and injury risk relationships associated with scapular adaptations.
