Purpose Decreased hip internal rotation is a risk factor of shoulder and elbow injury among baseball players. However, few studies have investigated whether the Craig`s test is a predictor of hip internal rotation among baseball players. The purpose of this study was to identify whether the Craig`s test is a predictor of the range of hip internal rotation of high school baseball players, using multiple regression analysis. Methods We selected 23 high school baseball players as participants. Both hips of the participants were examined and divided into the lead hip and trail hip groups. The range of hip internal rotation at 90° of hip flexion (HIF) and 0° of hip extension (HIE) was evaluated. The femoral anteversion angle and a-angle were calculated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the Craig`s test was performed. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the predictors of hip internal rotation by comparing the Craig`s test and the femoral anteversion angle and a-angle on MRI. Results On multiple regression analysis, the Craig`s test was a predictor of lead hip-HIF, trail hip-HIF, lead hip-HIE, and trail hip-HIE, and the respective R2 values were 0.62, 0.57, 0.66, and 0.52 (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study shows that the Craig`s test for high school baseball players is a predictor of HIF and HIE in the lead hip and trail hip. Since the Craig`s test results are the largest predictor of hip internal rotation, the soft tissues and Craig`s test need to be assessed among baseball players.
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