Effectiveness of Rotator Cuff Exercises for Throwing Injuries of the Shoulder: Comparison between Closed/Open Kinetic Chains

[Purpose] To compare the effectiveness of closed (CKC ex) and open (OKC ex) kinetic chain exercises for throwing injuries of the shoulder. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 42 (23 pitchers and 19 fielders) right-handed male baseball players diagnosed with throwing injuries of the shoulder, and the rates of those unable to perform CKC ex and OKC ex due to pain among all players were examined. Furthermore, 19 players, who were able to perform both exercises, were divided into 2 groups (CKC: 10; and OKC: 9), and performed one of the 2 exercises to compare the muscle-strengthening effect between them. [Results] The rate of those unable to perform CKC ex was significantly lower than that for OKC ex, and both produced the same muscle-strengthening effect. [Conclusion] The results support the effectiveness of CKC ex as a rotator cuff exercise intervention that is feasible from the acute phase, when OKC ex is difficult due to intense pain.