A System or Method of Analysis for Injury Prevention in Sports, Youth Fastpitch Softball Pitchers: A Pilot Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17140/SEMOJ-6-175Keywords:
Softball injury prevention, Fastpitch softball, Windmill pitch, Female youth pitchers, Windmill biomechanicsAbstract
Background
The prevalence of softball injuries in young pitchers is increasing with more injuries in the upper extremity in the beginning of the season.
Research Question
Calculate the forces generated during the pitching motion of female youth pitchers at four main areas: the stride, hips, shoulder, and wrist for 2 groups. R1: u1≠u2.
Study Design
Pilot study, Cross-sectional design.
Level of Evidence
Level-2, Strength-B.
Methods
This study included a total of 15 female youth fastpitch softball pitchers (mean age, 14.33-years; mean weight, 59.01 kg) recruited to participate during the Fall Softball League (2014). Divided into two groups: 270° hip rotation group vs. a projected 360° hip rotation group.
Results
A paired sample t-test showed that the 2 groups (270° hip rotation and projected 360° hip rotation) were strongly and positively correlated (r=0.993, p<0.001). There was a significant average difference between 270° hip rotation and the projected 360° hip rotation forces (t14=12.996, p<0.001). On average, the projected 360° hip rotation forces were 580.68 N higher than 270° hip rotation forces (95% CI [676.51, 484.84].
Conclusion
The Current Method (CM) of pitching clearly uses the shoulder as the driving force of the pitch, as pitchers created 467.96 N of force at the shoulder. Pitchers who used 270° hip rotation produced an average of 147.33 N at the hip while these same individuals can create an average of 589.30 N with full hip rotation.
Clinical Relevance
Pitchers using the CM of pitching generated an average of 468 N of force at the shoulder. Identifying interruptions in the kinetic chain is the key to reducing injuries. This is accomplished by creating the ideal kinetic chain and teaching it through a certified pitching coach program. Once identified, interruptions can be modified and changed through exercises to strengthen and improve the kinetic chain.
References
Barfield J, Oliver G. What do we know about youth softball pitching and injury? Sports Med Open. 2018; 4: 50. doi: 10.1186/ s40798-018-0168-6
Oliver GD, Plummer HA, Washington JK, Saper MG, Dugas JR, Andrews JR. Pitching mechanics in female youth fastpitch softball. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2018; 13(3): 493-500. doi: 10.26603/ ijspt20180493
Fry KE, Wittman K, Gerke D, Parr A. Clinical and biomechani-cal evaluation of the softball pitcher: A review of current concepts and clinical commentary. Clin J Sports Med. 2019; 29(5): 406-412. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000692
Marshall SW, Hamsta-Wright KL, Dick R, Grove KA, Agel J. Descriptive epidemiology of collegiate women’s softball injuries: National collegiate athletic association injury surveillance system, 1988-1989 through 2003-2004. J Athl Train. 2007; 42(2): 286-294.
Oliver GD, Friesen K, Barfiled JW, Giordano K, Anz A, Du-gas J, et al. Association of upper extremity pain with softball pitching kinematics and kinetics. Orthop J Sports Med. 2019; 7(8): 2325967119865171. doi: 10.1177/2325967119865171
Cordo PJ, Nashner LM. Properties of postural adjustments as-sociated with rapid arm movements. J Neurophysiol. 1982; 47(2): 287-302. doi: 10.1152/jn.1982.47.2.287
Doshottar A. Acute effects of softball pitching to fatigue on the glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion. J Indian Assoc Phys-iotherapists. 2019; 13(1): 23-29. doi: 10.4103/PJIAP.PJIAP_30_18
Escamilla RF, Andrews JR. Shoulder muscle recruitment patterns and related biomechanics during upper extremity sports. Sports Med. 2009; 39(7): 569-590. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200939070-00004
Hill JL, Humphries B, Weidner T, Newton RU. Female collegiate windmill pitchers: Influences to injury incidence. J Strength Cond Res. 2004; 18(3): 426-431. doi: 10.1519/1533-4287(2004)18<426:FCW-PIT>2.0.CO;2
Holtz KA, O’Connor RJ. Upper extremity functional status of female youth softball pitchers using the Kerlan-Jobeorthopae-dic clinic questionnaire. Orthop J Sports Med, 2018; 6(1): 1-5. doi: Original Research | Volume 6 | Number 1| Fahey RL et al 10.1177/2325967117748599
Johnson J. Overuse injuries in youth athletes: Cause and pre-vention. J Strength Cond Res. 2008; 30(2): 27-31. doi: 10.1519/ SSC.0b013e31816a21cb
Leahy PM. Active Release Techniques: Soft-tissue Management Sys-tem. Colorado Springs, CO, USA: Active Release Techniques LLP; 2000.
Lee JH, Cynn HS, Yi CH, Kwon OY, Toon TL. Predictor vari-ables for forward scapular posture including posterior shoulder tightness. J Bodywork Mov Ther. 2015; 19(2): 253-260. doi: 10.1016/j. jbmt.2014.04.010
Barrentine SW, Fleisig GS, Whiteside JA, Escamilla RF, Andrews JR. Biomechanics of windmill softball pitching with implications about injury mechanisms at the shoulder and elbow. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1998; 28: 405-415. doi: 10.2519/jospt.1998.28.6.405
Putnam CA. Sequential motions of body segments in striking and throwing skills: Descriptions and explanations. J Biomechanics. 1993; 26(1): 125-135. doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(93)90084-r
Maffet MW, Jobe FW, Pink MM, Brault J, Mathiyakom W. Shoul-der muscle firing patterns during the windmill softball pitch. Am J Sports Med.1997; 25(3): 369-374. doi: 10.1177/036354659702500317
Marshall SW, Hamsta-Wright KL, Dick R, Grove KA, Agel J. Descriptive epidemiology of collegiate women’s softball injuries: National collegiate athletic association injury surveillance system, 1988-1989 through 2003-2004. J Athl Train. 2007; 42(2): 286-294.
Matsuo T, Escamilla RF, Fleisig GS, Barrentine SW, Andrews JR. Comparison of kinematic and temporal parameters between different pitch velocity groups. J Appl Biomechanics. 2001; 17(1): 1-13. doi: 10.1123/jab.17.1.1
Oliver GD, Dwelly PM, Kwon YH. Kinematic motion of the windmill softball pitch in prepubescent and pubescent girls. J Strength Cond Res. 2010; 24(9): 2400-2407. doi: 10.1519/ JSC.0b013e3181dc43af
Oliver GD. Powering the windmill: Lower body mechanics of softball pitching. Lower Extrem Rev. lermagazine Web site. https://lermagazine.com/cover_story/powering-the-windmill-lower-body-mechanics-of-softball-pitching. Accessed September 11, 2018.
Pletcher E. The Effects of Consecutive Softball Windmill Pitches on Coordination Patterns and Variability, Muscular Strength, and Pitching Performance. [dissertation]. Pittsburgh, PA, USA: The University of Pittsburgh; 2017; 1-225.
Pytiak AV, Kraeutler MJ, Currie DW, McCarty EC, Comstock RD. An epidemiological comparison of elbow injuries among United States high school baseball and softball players, 2005- 2006 through 2014-2015. Sports Health. 2015; 10(2): 119-124. doi: 10.1177/1941738117736493
Remaley DT, Fincham B, McCullough B, Davis K, Nofsinger C, Armstrong C, et al. Surface electromyography of the forearm musculature during the windmill softball pitch. Orthop J Sports Med. 2015; 3(1): 1-8. doi: 10.1177/2325967114566796
Rojas IL, Provencher MT, Bhatia S, Foucher KC, Bach BR, Romeo AA, et al. Biceps activity during windmill softball pitching: Injury implications and comparison with overhand throwing. Am J Sports Med. 2009; 37(3): 558-565. doi: 10.1177/0363546508328105
Smith AM, Butler TH, Dolan MS. Ulnar neuropathy and me-Submit your article to this journal | https://openventio.org/submit-manuscript/ dial elbow pain in women’s fastpitch softball pitchers: A report of 6 cases. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2017; 26(12): 2220-2225. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2017.08.013
Stodden DF, Fleisig GS, McLean SP, Lyman SL, Andrews JR. Relationship of pelvis and upper torso kinematics to pitched base-ball velocity. J Appl Biomechanics. 2001; 17(2): 164-172. doi: 10.1123/ jab.17.2.164
Weiss-Kelly A. The female athletic triad. Stop Sports Injuries Web site. https://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/STOP/STOP/Pre-vent_Injuries/Female_Athlete_Triad.aspx. Accessed September 11, 2018.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All content published in Sports and Exercise Medicine (SEM) is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This license allows anyone to copy, distribute, transmit, and adapt the work — including for commercial purposes — provided appropriate credit is given to the original author(s) and source.
