Digital vessel trauma from repetitive impact on the fingers and hand is a concern in baseball players (Sugawara, 1986). Laser Doppler blood perfusion imaging (LDBPI) involves two-dimensional horizontal scanning of the blood flow in a specific tissue without the need for surface contact (Wärdell, 1993). The LDBPI method may facilitate detection of vasospastic abnormalities and occlusion of the digital artery, which are generally observed during an inhomogeneous reaction to cold (Miyai, 2005). Our previous study suggested that the LDBPI technique can be used to assess peripheral circulatory function in baseball players. This study used LDBPI to examine whether the changes in finger skin blood flow in response to a cold water immersion test depends on the position of baseball players. Subjects and Methods: The study included 32 male university baseball players (age:, 18-21 years) who play at 4 different positions (catcher [3 subjects], outfielder [9 subjects], infielder [12 subjects], and pitcher [8 subjects]). A cold provocation test was performed by immersing the subject`s catching hand in 10°C water for 10 minutes. The blood flow in the skin of the palm was repeatedly scanned every 2 min before,during, and after immersion by using a PIM-3 LDBPI (Perimed, Sweden). Mean blood perfusion values in the index finger were calculated for each color-coded image. Finger skin temperature was recorded using an electrode thermistor attached to the skin on the dorsal side of the index finger. Results: Mean blood perfusion values of the infielders were significantly lower than those of the outfielders in the later phase of cold water immersion and early post-immersion. However, the finger skin temperature did not significantly differ among the different player positions at any measurement point. Discussion: These findings suggest that the changes in finger skin blood flow in response to cold water immersion, as measured using LDBPI, are dependent on the position. Repetitive trauma caused by the impact of a baseball also leads to peripheral vascular impairment in the index finger of the gloved hand of infielders.
© Copyright 2012 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Bruges, 4. -7. July 2012. Julkaistu Tekijä Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator