Kinematic Sequence Patterns And Batting Velocity In Young And Adult Baseball Players

Abstract

The temporal order of movements in the joints and body segments have been described for various athletic movements. In baseball pitching, the proximal-to-distal kinematic sequence (KS) in the upper body is important for maximizing ball velocity and efficient energy transfer. Baseball batting is one of the most difficult skills in sports; however, few studies have investigated the temporal characteristics of baseball batting, particularly between players of different ages and skill levels. PURPOSE: To describe and compare the KS patterns of the pivot hip, the pelvis, and the lumbar and thoracic spine during baseball batting between young and adult players and to investigate the relationship between the KS patterns and batting velocity. METHODS: Twenty-nine high school (13 ± 0.7 yrs) and 30 collegiate (20 ± 1.4 yrs) baseball players underwent the biomechanical analyses of baseball batting. A three-dimensional motion analysis system and two force platforms were utilized for data collection. Each participant completed three baseball swinging trials off a tee. The best trial was used for data analysis. Thirteen KS patterns were identified and assigned into three categories based on the first joint/segment that achieved the peak angular velocity: 1) the pivot hip initiated, 2) the pelvis initiated, 3) the lumbar spine initiated. The chi-square test and one-way ANOVA were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Only 3 (10.3%) young players and 2 (6.7%) adult players demonstrated the ideal proximal-to-distal KS pattern. Although a higher percentage of adult players demonstrated the pelvis-initiated KS pattern, there was no significant difference in the KS patterns between groups (χ2 = 3.221, p = 0.200). The batting velocity between three KS patterns also did not show any significant difference (pivot hip initiated: 68.54 ± 12.01 m/s; pelvis initiated: 75.23 ± 11.19 m/s; lumbar initiated: 71.89 ± 15.30 m/s; F = 1.579, p = 0.215). CONCLUSION: Young and adult baseball players demonstrated similar hip-pelvis-trunk KS patterns during baseball batting, and their KS patterns were not significantly associated with batting velocity. The KS patterns identified in this study can provide reference for analyzing baseball batting. Supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (MOST 109-2410-H-006-079-MY2)