Abstract
Performance of a sequential proximal-to-distal transfer of segmental angular velocity (or Kinematic Sequence) is reported to reduce stress on musculoskeletal structures and thus the probability of injury while also maximizing ball velocity. However, there is limited investigation regarding the Kinematic Sequence of the five body segments (Pelvis, Trunk, Arm, Forearm, and Hand) among baseball pitchers. Some biomechanical and epidemiology studies have reported an association of the curveball with increased risk for elbow injury among youth pitchers. Kinematic Sequences with altered distal upper extremity (forearm and hand) sequences have been associated with greater elbow valgus and shoulder external rotation torques compared to other Kinematic Sequences. Identifying Kinematic Sequence patterns during curveball pitches may lead to improved understanding of injury susceptibility. This study investigated the Kinematic Sequence patterns (and their variability) during curveball pitching and compared them to the sequences identified during fastball pitches. Using 3D motion analyses, 14 baseball pitchers (four high school, eight college, and two professional) performed 5–6 curveball pitches and 12 pitchers also threw fastball pitches in a simulated bullpen session. Eleven different curveball Kinematic Sequences were identified and 8 fastball Kinematic Sequences. There was no significant variability in the number of Kinematic Sequences performed between the two pitch types, (Z = −0.431, p = 0.67). The median number of KSs performed by each group was 2.5. The most frequently used Kinematic Sequences for both pitch types were due to alteration in the sequence of the distal segments. The total percentage of Kinematic Sequences with altered distal segment sequencing for the curveball pitches was 49% and 43% for fastball pitches. Identifying the frequency of Kinematic Sequences with altered timing of hand and forearm peak velocities across pitch types may lead to a better understanding of the stresses that individual pitchers incur.
Highlights
Baseball pitching coaches and biomechanists encourage their players to throw in a sequential pattern, generating velocity from movement of the lower body to the torso and out to the throwing hand
This study aims to (1) Identify Kinematic Sequence patterns performed during the curveball pitch across pitchers of varied level of experience, (2) Determine the intra pitcher variability of the sequences performed by each pitcher during curveball pitches, and to (3) Compare the Kinematic Sequence patterns performed during the curveball and fastball pitches
Variability in the number of kinematic sequences was similar between the FB and CB pitches, and the most frequently performed Kinematic Sequence during the CB pitches consisted of forearm segment peak velocity after the peak velocity of the hand (KS 12354)
Summary
Baseball pitching coaches and biomechanists encourage their players to throw in a sequential pattern, generating velocity from movement of the lower body to the torso and out to the throwing hand. This target Kinematic Sequence (KS) is the Kinematic Sequences During Curveball Pitch most efficient pattern of movement for throwing which starts with the proximal segment (pelvis), trunk, arm, forearm, and ends with the distal segment, the hand (Putnam, 1993; Cheetham et al, 2008) Performance of this efficient transfer of segmental angular velocity is reported to reduce stress on musculoskeletal structures and the probability of injury while maximizing ball velocity (Putnam, 1993; Seroyer et al, 2010; Chalmers et al, 2017; Scarborough et al, 2020). Determining what KS patterns are commonly performed during curveball pitches as well as the variability of the KS patterns may provide added insight as to injury vulnerability
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