Kinematics and kinetics of youth baseball pitching with standard and lightweight balls |
| |
| Authors: | Glenn S Fleisig PhD Randy Phillips Andrew Shatley Jeremy Loftice Shouchen Dun Shawn Drake James W Farris James R Andrews |
| |
| Institution: | (1) American Sports Medicine Institute, 833 St. Vincent’s Drive, Suite 100, 35205 Birmingham, AL, USA;(2) Physical Therapy Program, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas |
| |
| Abstract: | Because youth athletes are smaller and weaker than their adult counterparts, smaller equipment and fields are often used in
youth sports. Previous research has shown that youth baseball pitchers use similar motions to older pitchers, but generate
lower kinetics and angular velocities at the shoulder and elbow. The purpose of this study was to determine potential biomechanical
benefits for youth pitchers to use lighter baseballs. Thirty-four youth (11.1 ± 0.7 years) pitchers pitched both standard
5 ounce (142 g)] and lightweight 4 ounce(113 g)] baseballs in a laboratory setting. Kinematic and kinetic parameters were
measured with a six-camera high-speed motion analysis system. Three repeated measures MANOVAs were used to compare (p > 0.05) position, velocity, and kinetic parameters between the standard and lightweight baseballs. Subjective data were also
collected. Pitching the lightweight ball produced no difference in arm position, but greater shoulder, elbow, and ball velocities.
With the lightweight ball, pitchers produced decreased kinetics.Post-hoc analysis of the kinetic data revealed significant decreases in elbow varus torque and shoulder internal rotation torque.
The data suggest that playing with lightweight baseballs may reduce the risk of overuse injury in the youth pitcher and also
help develop arm speed. However, before introducing lightweight baseballs into the youth game, the effect of lighter, faster
pitched balls for the batters and fielders should also be considered. |
| |
| Keywords: | shoulder elbow force torque velocity biomechanics |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
