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- Title
Biomechanics Related to Increased Softball Pitcher Shoulder Stress: Implications for Injury Prevention.
- Authors
Friesen, Kenzie B.; Saper, Michael G.; Oliver, Gretchen D.
- Abstract
Background: Softball pitchers exhibit high throwing shoulder distraction force, which is a theorized mechanism of throwing shoulder overuse injury. Windmill pitching involves a variety of highly individualistic pitching styles, and certain kinematics preceding ball release likely influence the amount of shoulder stress that a pitcher accrues. Purpose: To examine the association of trunk and throwing arm kinematics, kinetics, and timing variables with peak throwing shoulder distraction force in high school softball pitchers. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: A total of 37 high school pitchers (mean ± SD; height, 1.71 ± 0.06 m; weight, 75.53 ± 16.12 kg; age, 16 ± 2 years) threw 10 fastball pitches at regulation distance (43 ft [13.1 m]) and with maximum effort. Kinematic data were collected at 240 Hz using an electromagnetic motion capture system synced with motion analysis software. The 3 fastest pitches were averaged and analyzed. Kinematic, kinetic, and timing variables were entered into a stepwise linear regression analysis. Results: Four variables were included in the significant model (F 4,39 = 147.51; P <.001) and explained peak shoulder distraction force (R 2 = 0.944; adjusted R 2 = 0.938; SE = 0.036): increased peak elbow distraction force (t = 19.90; P <.001) and extension moment (t = 3.63; P =.001), as well as decreased elbow flexion velocity (t = −2.37; P =.023) and trunk flexion at foot contact of the pitch (t = −3.00; P =.005). Conclusion: Elbow kinetics and angular velocity, as well as trunk positioning at foot contact, are associated with peak throwing shoulder distraction force in high school softball pitchers. Clinical Relevance: Variables associated with peak throwing shoulder distraction force provide information regarding injury mechanism and coachable cues that might reduce shoulder injury risk among pitchers.
- Subjects
SHOULDER physiology; CONFIDENCE intervals; TORSO; RESEARCH methodology; THROWING (Sports); REGRESSION analysis; SOFTBALL; ARM; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; BIOMECHANICS; DATA analysis software; KINEMATICS; HIGH school students
- Publication
American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2022, Vol 50, Issue 1, p216
- ISSN
0363-5465
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/03635465211055141