Throwing Speed Research Articles

Are Acute Effects of Maximal Dynamic Contractions on Upper-Body Ballistic Performance Load Specific?

This study investigated the acute effects of upper-body maximal dynamic contractions on maximal throwing speed with 0.55- and 4-kg medicine balls. It was hypothesized that heavy preloading would transiently improve throwing performance only when overcoming the heavier of the two loads. Twenty-three male volunteers were randomly allocated into experimental (n = 11) and control (n = 12) groups. Both groups performed initial and final seated medicine ball throws from the chest, and the maximal medicine ball speed was measured by means of a radar gun. Between the two measurements, the control group rested passively for 15 minutes, and the experimental group performed three sets of three-repetition maximum bench presses. For the 0.55-kg load, a 2 x 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed no significant effect of time x group interaction (p = 0.22), as well as no significant time (p = 0.22) or group (p = 0.72) effects. In contrast, for the 4-kg load, a significant time x group interaction (p = 0.004) and a significant time (p = 0.035) but not group (p = 0.77) effect were observed. Analysis of simple main effects revealed that the experimental group significantly (8.3%; p < 0.01) improved maximal throwing speed with the 4-kg load. These results support our research hypothesis and suggest that the acute effects of heavy preloading on upper-body ballistic performance might be load specific. In a practical sense, our findings suggest that the use of upper-body heavy resistance exercise before ballistic throwing movements against moderate external loads might be an efficient training strategy for improving an athlete's upper-body explosive performance.

Effects of Stretching the Upper Limb on Throwing speed and Isokinetic Shoulder Torques

0937 Exercise is commonly preceded by warm-up and stretching routines. Although stretching has been documented to increase range of motion, recent studies have shown little effect of stretching on injury rates and adverse effects on high-force muscular performance. Strength deficits following stretching have also been found on slow isokinetic movements but not on higher velocities. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of static stretching of upper limb muscles on overarm throwing speed and isokinetic torque of shoulder internal rotators at two velocities (3.14 and 5.24 rad×s−1). METHODS: Forty subjects were randomly assigned into control and stretching groups. The experimental protocol consisted of 2 test sessions scheduled a week apart. Subjects in the experimental group performed static stretching (St) exercises to their dominant limb in one of their sessions and no stretching in the subsequent session. The order of the sessions, St or no-stretch (NSt), for the experimental subjects was randomized. Subjects in the control group did not stretch in either of their two sessions. Following warm-up and St or NSt, subjects were tested for throwing speed and concentric isokinetic torque of the shoulder internal rotation musculature at two velocities. Throwing speed was measured with a radar gun and shoulder internal rotation torques were measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. Speed and torque comparisons were made using two-way ANOVAs with repeated measures. RESULTS: Significant interactions were found for throwing speed (F = 18.96, p = .000) and isokinetic torque at 3.14 rad×s−1 (F = 5.01, p = .031), but not for isokinetic torque at 5.24 rad×s−1 (F = 4.07, p = .051). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that static stretching produced a significant decrement in high-speed throwing performance and shoulder concentric torque at 3.14 rad×s−1. This result is in agreement with numerous studies that have shown stretching prior to engaging in a dynamic activity results in significant decreases in maximal muscular performance. These findings suggest that stretching prior to physical activities that contain multi-segment highspeed muscle actions, like throwing, may have a detrimental effect on performance.

Physics of overarm throwing

Measurements are presented of the speed at which objects of different mass can be projected by an overarm throw. Light objects can be thrown faster than heavy objects, although the difference in speed is not as large as one might expect. For a factor of 60 increase in the thrown mass, there was a decrease of only 2.4 in the throw speed. The relatively small change in throw speed is due to the fact that the force that can be applied to a thrown object increases with object mass. Estimates of the muscle forces involved indicate that the increase in force with mass is primarily an inertial rather than a physiological effect. The total kinetic energy of the mass, hand, and the forearm was found to be almost independent of the object mass, and the throw speed is almost independent of the mass of the upper arm.

Upper and lower body strength in relation to underhand pitching speed by experienced and inexperienced pitchers.

The relation of legs, arms, shoulders, and grip strength with underhand pitching speed of experienced and inexperienced female pitchers was investigated. For 16 experienced female underhand pitchers and 16 inexperienced women with no softball experience (control group) leg and arm strength were measured using a Hydrafitness exercise machine. Grip strength was measured with a handgrip dynamometer. Underhand throwing speed was measured with a radar gun. Regression analysis showed arm and grip strength correlated with throwing speed (p < or = .05) for the experienced group. For the inexperienced control group, the only correlate of throwing speed was arm strength (p < or = .05). There was a significant difference between the two groups on all measures of strength and ball speed in favor of the experienced group (p < or = .05).

Comparison of upper limb musculoskeletal function and throwing performance in adolescent baseball players and matched controls

Objectives: To compare upper limb musculoskeletal profile and throwing speed in adolescent baseball players and matched controls. Participants: Fourteen elite early adolescent (13–16 years) baseball players and 14 age, height and weight matched control subjects. Main outcome measures: Joint range of motion, isometric muscle strength and overhead throwing speed. Results: No significant differences in shoulder or elbow joint range of motion were found, though there was a significant increase in pronation (P=0·03) in the baseball group compared to the control group. No significant differences in shoulder and elbow isometric muscle strength were found between the groups. However, the baseball players threw the ball approximately 50% faster than control subjects. Conclusions: Fast throwing speeds may be achieved in well-trained early adolescent baseball players without changes in isometric muscle strength and with changes in only some ranges of motion. Greater emphasis on the achievement of fast throwing speed by the use of sound overhead throwing technique, particularly in the early stages of a baseball career, may minimize the development of upper limb joint range and muscle strength imbalances which possibly predispose baseball players to injury.

UPPER AND LOWER BODY STRENGTH IN RELATION TO UNDERHAND PITCHING SPEED BY EXPERIENCED AND INEXPERIENCED PITCHERS

The relation of legs, arms, shoulders, and grip strength with underhand pitching speed of experienced and inexperienced female pitchers was investigated. For 16 experienced female underhand pitchers and 16 inexperienced women with no softball experience (control group) leg and arm strength were measured using a Hydrafitness exercise machine. Grip strength was measured with a handgrip dynamometer. Underhand throwing speed was measured with a radar gun. Regression analysis showed arm and grip strength correlated with throwing speed (p ≤ .05) for the experienced group. For the inexperienced control group, the only correlate of throwing speed was arm strength (p≤ 05) There was a significant difference between the two groups on all measures of strength and ball speed in favor of the experienced group (p ≤.05).

Measurement of upper and lower body strength and its relationship to underhand pitching speed.

This study investigated the possible relationship for legs, arms, shoulders, and grip strength with underhand throwing speed. 40 female subjects had their legs, arms, and shoulder strength measured using a multipurpose exercise machine for assessing resistive force. Grip strength was measured using a handgrip dynamometer. Underhand throwing speed was measured with a radar gun. Regression analysis indicated a relationship (p < or = .05) between strength of the arms and underhand pitching speed. No significant relationships were found for legs, shoulders, and grip strength, and underhand pitching speed.

Baseball Throwing Speed and Base Running Speed

Baseball Throwing Speed and Base Running Speed

Baseball Throwing Speed and Base Running Speed: The Effects of Ballistic Resistance Training

ABSTRACTBallistic resistance training involves explosive movements against resistance at the fastest velocity possible. This study examined the effect of a ballistic resistance training program on baseball throwing and base running speed. Eighteen National League baseball players from two teams took

The relationship of upper extremity strength to throwing speed.

Cybex II Isokinetic Dynamometer (Lumex Corp. Ronkonkoma, NY) tests for the upper extremity strength of eight professional baseball players, together with radar gun measurements of their individual throwing speeds, were subjected to statistical analysis. Results of simple and multiple regression analysis showed a relationship between the strength of the elbow extension and wrist extension movements and throwing speed.