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Changing Body Movement Patterns in 9-Year-Old Baseball Pitchers: A Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT: Arm injuries in throwing athletes continue to increase. Injuries may be due to multiple variables, including inefficient body movement patterns, especially in young baseball throwers. It is unclear whether these patterns can be efficiently altered in this population.To investigate the effect of a novel 21-day throwing program on body movement patterns in youth baseball players using common practical tools. Our hypothesis was that this program would change body movement patterns over a relatively short period.Descriptive laboratory study.Ten 9-year-old baseball athletes were asked to participate in a 21-consecutive day throwing program focused on decreasing inefficiencies. All participants underwent video evaluation from 2 vantage points as well as radar evaluation before and after the programs. Throwing arm humerothoracic and antecubital angles as well as pelvic angles in the frontal view were measured at the time of front (directional) leg heel/toe down (late cocking) for each of 3 pitches. Glove-side humerothoracic angles and back leg minimum popliteal angles were measured from behind for each of 3 additional pitches. Velocity was measured using a radar gun. All angular measurements were performed by a physical therapist blinded to the purposes of the program and study as well as to video chronology.Throwing arm antecubital angle (P = .01) and humerothoracic angle (P = .03) as well as back leg minimum popliteal angle (P = .03) all decreased, with mean decreases of 35°, 10°, and 8°, respectively. Velocity increased with decreased back leg popliteal angles (P = .019); mean velocity increased 2.6 mph (P = .016).Young baseball throwers can quickly retrain their bodies to accomplish different movement patterns.This novel throwing program may have implications for injury prevention and treatment as we identify better baseball-throwing movement patterns.

SUBMITTER: Fehringer EV

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5495506 | biostudies-other | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:Purpose To evaluate and describe the differences in characteristics between the Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers with greater workload and career longevity in terms of innings pitched (IP) and performance-matched controls who have not experienced similar length careers. Methods Using publicly available data, we identified the top 100 MLB pitchers in terms of career IP. Controls were matched to the top 100 pitchers by draft year and round. Pitchers with fewer than 400 IP were excluded. Demographic information, performance statistics, and injury history were reviewed. Logistic regression analysis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to compare data. Results Compared with controls, the top 100 pitchers in terms of IP were drafted at a younger age (19.35 vs 19.83, P < .001) and in later rounds (6.16 vs 2.45, P < .001). They made their MLB debut at a younger age (21.77 vs 23.12, P < .001). They also pitched fewer innings before debut (470.59 vs 632.07, P = .007), were older at their first (30.72 vs 27.50 years, P < .001) and second (32.42 vs 29.43 years, P < .001) designations to the injured list (IL), and had a significantly longer time from debut to first (3063.50 vs 1565.59 days, P < .001) and second (3712.10 vs 2202.03 days, P < .001) IL trips. The top 100 pitchers were 7.45 times less likely to have made a trip to the IL within 8 seasons from their debut and were 4.04 times more likely to be younger than 24 years at their major league debut. Conclusions Pitchers with the greatest number of IP in their MLB careers were significantly younger when drafted and when they made their major league debut, although this age difference is likely clinically insignificant. Pitchers who were drafted or debuted at a later age accumulate more pre-debut innings and this may contribute to fewer total IP in the MLB. Similarly, later trips to the injured list and longer duration from debut to first or second trip to the IL, but not total IL trips, are predictive of longer careers compared to age and draft class matched controls. Level of Evidence III, retrospective cohort study.

Project description:BackgroundWeighted-ball throwing programs are commonly used in training baseball pitchers to increase ball velocity. The purpose of this study was to compare kinematics and kinetics among weighted-ball exercises with values from standard pitching (ie, pitching standard 5-oz baseballs from a mound).HypothesisBall and arm velocities would be greater with lighter balls and joint kinetics would be greater with heavier balls.Study designControlled laboratory study.MethodsTwenty-five high school and collegiate baseball pitchers experienced with weighted-ball throwing were tested with an automated motion capture system. Each participant performed 3 trials of 10 different exercises: pitching 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-oz baseballs from a mound; flat-ground crow hop throws with 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-oz baseballs; and flat-ground hold exercises with 14- and 32-oz balls. Twenty-six biomechanical parameters were computed for each trial. Data among the 10 exercises were compared with repeated measures analysis of variance and post hoc paired t tests against the standard pitching data.ResultsBall velocity increased as ball mass decreased. There were no differences in arm and trunk velocities between throwing a standard baseball and an underweight baseball (4 oz), while arm and trunk velocities steadily decreased as ball weight increased from 5 to 32 oz. Compared with values pitching from a mound, velocities of the pelvis, shoulder, and ball were increased for flat-ground throws. In general, as ball mass increased arm torques and forces decreased; the exception was elbow flexion torque, which was significantly greater for the flat-ground holds. There were significant differences in body positions when pitching on the mound, flat-ground throws, and holds.ConclusionsWhile ball velocity was greatest throwing underweight baseballs, results from the study did not support the rest of the hypothesis. Kinematics and kinetics were similar between underweight and standard baseballs, while overweight balls correlated with decreased arm forces, torques, and velocities. Increased ball velocity and joint velocities were produced with crow hop throws, likely because of running forward while throwing.Clinical relevanceAs pitching slightly underweight and overweight baseballs produces variations in kinematics without increased arm kinetics, these exercises seem reasonable for training pitchers. As flat-ground throwing produces increased shoulder internal rotation velocity and elbow varus torque, these exercises may be beneficial but may also be stressful and risky. Flat-ground holds with heavy balls should not be viewed as enhancing pitching biomechanics, but rather as hybrid exercises between throwing and resistance training.

Project description:BackgroundFatigue in baseball pitchers is a process linked to lowered physical and mental performance, injury, and changes in kinematics. Numerous studies have associated fatigue with overuse, high ball velocities, lack of rest time, poor mechanics, and degree of self-satisfaction. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to identify a theoretical framework for the relationship between outcomes and the manifestation of fatigue on baseball pitching. The synthesized data may identify areas requiring further research.MethodologyThis protocol was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42018114194). SPORTDiscus, Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar were searched, using keywords such as fatigue in pitchers and changes in kinematics (e.g., pitching mechanics, valgus elbow torque), performance (e.g., pitch count, pitch type), and injury (e.g., pain, elbow, and shoulder soreness). Three reviewers independently screened the articles, selected relevant literature based on abstract eligibility, and assessed the methods described therein for final inclusion.ResultsA total of 31,860 articles were screened for eligibility and 25 articles were included for the review. The selected articles included epidemiological, longitudinal, experimental, conference papers, and crossover laboratory studies. Evidence extracted from the 25 studies demonstrates a relationship between fatigue in baseball pitching, and three overarching outcomes: changes in kinematics, a decrease in performance, and an increase in injury risk.ConclusionsFindings show that a co-dependence between changes in kinematics and a decrease in performance, which stems from central and peripheral fatigue, is a contributing factor of injury in baseball pitchers. A large percentage of baseball pitchers exhibit pain or soreness in either their elbow or shoulder, or both at some point in a season. Initially, kinematic changes occur that could maintain performance, but may increase joint and tissue loading. Performance decreased with elevated pitch counts and innings thrown, and pitching further into games or the season. Evidence was found to be consistent across all studies; however, more work is needed in the area of fatigue as an injury mechanism during pitching. With a proof of concept established, the prevention of negative outcomes associated with fatigue must be the focus of future research and performance should not be the only criteria.

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Changing Body Movement Patterns in 9-Year-Old Baseball Pitchers: A Pilot Study.

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