QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THROWING MECHANICS IN SOFTBALL POSITION PLAYERS

The purpose of this study was to thoroughly describe the biomechanics of the throwing motion of collegiate softball infielders, catchers, and outfielders. Eighteen Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association softball players (19.2 ±1.0 y; 68.9 ±8.7 kg; 168.6 ±6.6 cm) who were listed on the active playing roster and deemed free of injury for the past 6 months volunteered to participate. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected with an electromagnetic tracking system via the MotionMonitorTM and calculated as per ISB recommendations. Of all the kinematic and kinetic variables, there where no significant differences between different position players and the throwing events. There was a significant difference in the catcher’s shoulder plane of elevation when compared to the other two position players when examining the entire throw (p=0.03)

Four week lumbopelvic-hip complex intervention program and its effects on tuck jump assessment in active youth

Injury in youth physical activity has become a major concern with the rising rate of participation. Lumbopelvic-hip complex (LPHC) stability, also known as core stability, has been found to contribute to proper force dissipation and ultimately more effective mechanics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a LPHC neuromuscular strengthening program on at-risk youth using the Tuck Jump Assessment. Forty-five youth grades 6, 7, and 8 participated in the Tuck Jump Assessment. Then those participants who scores were indicative of \u27at risk\u27 were enrolled in a four-week LPHC intervention program. Those participants whose sores did not fall into the \u27at risk\u27 category were the control group. After four-weeks groups were retested with the Tuck Jump Assessment. A paired-T test revealed that the intervention group had significant improvement on their Tuck Jump Assessment (p \u3c 0.01), while the control group\u27s scores did not change. It was thus concluded that strengthening the LPHC provides more control and stability in functional activity. Implementation of an intervention program in youth may decrease the susceptibility to injury in physical activity as well as contribute to more sound mechanics

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TRUNK ENERGY FLOW AND PEAK SHOULDER DISTRACTION FORCE IN COLLEGIATE SOFTBALL PITCHING

The purpose of the study was to determine the association between trunk energy flow (proximal energy inflow (IF) and distal energy outflow (OF) on the pitching arm side) and peak shoulder distraction force during the acceleration phase of the windmill softball pitch. Fifty-five collegiate softball pitchers participated. Regression analysis revealed proximal energy IF was not associated with peak shoulder distraction force during the acceleration phase of the pitch [F (1,53) = .026; p = .87), r = .02]. Distal trunk OF was also not associated with peak shoulder distraction force during the acceleration phase of the pitch [F (1,53) = .920; p = .342), r = .13]. Thus, it was concluded proximal trunk energy IF and distal trunk energy OF on the pitching arm side are not associated with peak shoulder distraction force during the acceleration phase of the pitch

SHOULDER KINETICS DURING PITCHING AND THEIR RELATION TO REPORTED SHOULDER PAIN

The purpose of this study was to identify those variables associated with shoulder pain in young baseball pitchers and develop a logistic regression model capable of predicting shoulder pain. Subjects (n=19) completed shoulder pain documentation before throwing fastball pitches recorded for analysis. At the shoulder, anterior force during cocking and proximal force and internal rotation torque during acceleration were related to shoulder pain (p ≤ 0.01). Kinetic variables could be used independently to develop a significant logistic regression model. However, when combined, interaction between kinetic variables prevented individual logistic regression coefficients from accounting for a significant magnitude of variability in shoulder pain. Further study is necessary to determine how these variables interact with regard to shoulder pain during pitching

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SLIDE STEP DELIVERY IN HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PITCHERS

The purpose of this study was to quantify the kinetics, kinematics, and segmental sequentiallity during the slide step pitching motion in high school baseball pitchers. Eighteen participants [16.2 + 1.6 yrs; 76.9 + 12.2 kg; 178.2 + 7.2 cm] volunteered to participate. Kinematic data describing the kinematics and kinetics during the slide step pitching delivery were collected with an electromagnetic tracking system via the MotionMonitorTM and calculated as per ISB recommendations. Data were described at foot contact, maximum external shoulder rotation, ball release, and maximum internal shoulder rotation during the slide step delivery

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIP RANGE OF MOTION AND PITCHING KINEMATICS IN HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PITCHERS

The purpose of this study was to examine the association of hip rotational range of motion (ROM) with lower extremity and trunk kinematics in high school baseball pitchers. Twenty-five healthy high school baseball pitchers volunteered (15.9 ± 1.1 years). Passive hip internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) ROM was measured with the pitchers seated using a digital inclinometer. Total hip ROM (IR + ER) was calculated for the stride leg and drive leg. Biomechanical data were collected with a 3-D electromagnetic tracking system while pitchers threw three fastballs. Simple linear regression analysis determined drive and stride leg hip IR, ER, and total ROM did not predict pitching kinematics. Future research should continue identifying parameters associated with altered biomechanics that may place baseball pitchers at increased risk of injury

A THREE DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE WINDMILL SOFTBALL PITCH

The act of periorming the windmill softball pitch encompasses total body activity with activation of body parts through a link system. With the coordinated action of all body segments, ballistic energy is applied to the ball to result in the greatest produced velocity at the time of ball release. In attempt to improve periormance, coaches and educators must understand the motions about the joints involved. Therefore it was the purpose of this study to determine the joint motions and movement patterns of the kinetic chain in the ballistic skill of periorming the windmill pitch in attempt to improve athletic periormance as well as athletic instruction

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRIDE MECHANICS AND SHOULDER DISTRACTION FORCE IN COLLEGIATE SOFTBALL PITCHERS

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between stride mechanics and shoulder distraction force in softball pitchers. Sixty-three collegiate softball pitchers (age: 20.1 ± 1.3 yrs, height: 173.3 ± 7.4 cm, weight: 79.7 ± 11.7 kg) participated and threw three maximal effort fastballs for a strike. Kinematic data were collected using an electromagnetic tracking system with a sampling frequency of 100 Hz. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between stride length and shoulder distraction force [R2 = .11; F (1, 61) = 7.345, p = .009], where stride length accounted for 11% of the variation in shoulder distraction force. Specifically, shoulder distraction force increased by .94 N/kg for every 10% increase in stride length normalized as a percentage of body height