Throwing Velocity Research Articles

Effects of Two Different Training Periodization Models on Physical and Physiological Aspects of Elite Female Team Handball Players

Manchado, C, Cortell-Tormo, JM, and Tortosa-Martínez, J. Effects of two different training periodization models on physical and physiological aspects of elite female team handball players. J Strength Cond Res 32(1): 280-287, 2018-The aim of this study was to compare training-induced changes in selected physiological and physical team handball performance factors after 2 training periodization models: traditional periodization (TP) vs. block periodization (BP). Eleven female team handball players who played over 2 consecutive seasons for a Spanish first league team were assessed twice per season during a training cycle. On each occasion, participants completed anthropometric, maximal strength, and lower-body power assessments. In addition, incremental tests to determine maximum oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max), sprint- and sport-specific throwing velocity tests were performed. Block periodization group experienced significantly greater improvements than TP on squat jump (5.97%; p < 0.001), countermovement jump (8.76%; p = 0.011), hand-grip strength (8.22%; p = 0.029), bench press 1 repetition maximum (1RM) (5.14%; p = 0.049), 10-m sprint (-6.19%; p < 0.001), and 20-m sprint (2.95%; p = 0.008). Greater changes in BP group (p ≤ 0.05) were also found for the throwing velocities in sport-specific tests compared with the TP group. No significant difference between the groups were detected for the half-squat 1RM (p = 0.15) and the V[Combining Dot Above]O2max (p = 0.44). These findings suggest that BP may be more effective than TP for improving important physiological and physical team handball performance factors in high level female handball players.

Building the intelligent transportation systems based on the computation of driving velocity law of blasting fly-rock

This article researched on the driving velocity law of blasting fly-rock separately from theoretical analysis, model test and numerical simulation, summed up that the basic form of blasting fly-rock’s driving velocity. The results show that:The fly-rock that throwing farthest mainly in range of the middle-upper position of the bench in bench blasting; Decompose the cylindrical charge into the spherical charge, vector superposed the velocity components caused by spherical charge through the integral method, this method can’t calculated the throw velocity of fly-rock accurately, but it can estimated the throwing distance of fly-rock, which can provides theory criteria and engineering guidance for blasting fly-rock protection work.

Relationships between the handball-specific complex test, non-specific field tests and the match performance score in elite professional handball players.

This study assessed the validity of the handball-specific complex test (HBCT) and two non-specific field tests in professional elite handball athletes, using the match performance score (MPS) as the gold standard of performance. Thirteen elite male handball players (age: 27.4±4.8 years; premier German league) performed the HBCT, the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery (YYIR) test and a repeated shuttle sprint ability (RSA) test at the beginning of pre-season training. The RSA results were evaluated in terms of best time, total time, and fatigue decrement. Heart rates (HR) were assessed at selected times throughout all tests; the recovery HR was measured immediately post-test and 10 minutes later. The match performance score was based on various handball specific parameters (e.g., field goals, assists, steals, blocks, and technical mistakes) as seen during all matches of the immediately subsequent season (2015/2016). The parameters of run 1, run 2, and HR recovery at minutes 6 and 10 of the RSA test all showed a variance of more than 10% (range: 11-15%). However, the variance of scores for the YYIR test was much smaller (range: 1-7%). The resting HR (r2=0.18), HR recovery at minute 10 (r2=0.10), lactate concentration at rest (r2=0.17), recovery of heart rate from 0 to 10 minutes (r2=0.15), and velocity of second throw at first trial (r2=0.37) were the most valid HBCT parameters. Much effort is necessary to assess MPS and to develop valid tests. Speed and the rate of functional recovery seem the best predictors of competitive performance for elite handball players.

Comparing Balance and Power to Baseball Throwing Velocity in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers

In baseball, one game or a season can depend greatly on the pitcher’s performance. A pitcher’s success can be greatly affected by velocity and their ability to maintain that velocity throughout the game. A better understanding of what physical attributes and training protocols affect a pitcher’s velocity would be helpful in designing training programs. PURPOSE: To examine variables that may potentially impact baseball throwing velocity (BTV). METHODS: 12 Division I collegiate baseball pitchers (height=186.7±9.3 cm, weight=91.2±12.4 kg and age=20.5±2.3 years) underwent assessments for upper and lower body power and balance. Lower body power data was collected using the vertical jump test VERTEC (Jump USA, Sunnyvale, CA), and an incline 4.5 kg medicine ball chest press to measure upper body power. Balance was assessed using the BIODEX Balance System SD (Biodex, Inc, Shirley, NY) and measured in the one legged follow through position of the pitch. BTV was collected while pitcher’s participated in actual games, off speed pitches were not used in this analysis and the number and type of pitches thrown varied depending upon the circumstance of the game, BTV was recorded using a Stockersport II (Applied Concepts INC, Plano TX) radar gun. RESULTS: Overall power output was highly correlated to BTV (r2=0.51, p=.006) with the majority of that correlation coming from lower body power (r2=0.47, p=.01) and upper body (r2=0.33, p=.039). Body weight also correlated with BTV (r2=0.74, p=.001), neither height (r2=0.16, p=.167) or balance (r2=0.07, p=.365), anterior/posterior (r2=0.087, p=.33), and medial/lateral (r2=0.11, p=.208) correlated with BTV. Game BTV was significantly decreased when comparing innings 1-3 to innings 4-6 respectfully (x=88.06 mph, x=86.57 mph; p=.039). CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong correlation between power and BTV, more specifically lower body power. With no correlation between height and balance with BTV, but a strong correlation with weight. In addition, fatigue appears to negatively impact BTV. Based on these findings it appears that baseball pitchers may benefit from a conditioning program focused on lower body power to increase the velocity of their pitches. Future investigations could help establish if this type of training could also reduce the impact of fatigue on BTV in the later innings of a game.

Effect of Core Training on Male Handball Players' Throwing Velocity.

In handball, throwing velocity is considered to be one of the essential factors in achieving the ultimate aim of scoring a goal. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of a core training program on throwing velocity in 30 handball players (age 18.7 ± 3.4 years, body height 179.3 ± 7.0 cm, body mass 78.9 ± 7.7 kg), 16 of whom were in the junior category and 14 of whom were in the senior category. The 30 players were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (n = 15) and the experimental group (n = 15). For a period of ten weeks, both groups attended their regular handball training sessions (four per week), but in addition, the experimental group participated in a program specifically aimed at progressively strengthening the lumbo-pelvic region and consisting of seven exercises performed after the general warm-up in each regular session. Pre- and post-tests were carried out to analyze each player’s throwing velocity from different throwing positions and thus assess the effects of this specific training program. Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in throwing velocity were observed between the experimental group, which presented a percentage improvement of 4.5%, and the control group, which did not show any improvement. The results seem to indicate that an increase in the strength and stability of the lumbo-pelvic region can contribute to an improvement in the kinetic chain of the specific movement of throwing in handball, thus, increasing throwing velocity.

Frequent Immediate Knowledge of Results Enhances the Increase of Throwing Velocity in Overarm Handball Performance.

In the present study, the effect of frequent, immediate, augmented feedback on the increase of throwing velocity was investigated. An increase of throwing velocity of a handball set shot when knowledge of results was provided or not provided during training was compared. Fifty female and seventy-three male physical education students were assigned randomly to the experimental or control group. All participants performed two series of ten set shots with maximal effort twice a week for six weeks. The experimental group received information regarding throwing velocity measured by a radar gun immediately after every shot, whereas the control group did not receive any feedback. Measurements of maximal throwing velocity of an ordinary handball and a heavy ball were performed, before and after the training period and compared. Participants who received feedback on results attained almost a four times greater relative increase of the velocity of the normal ball (size 2) as compared to the same intervention when feedback was not provided (8.1 ± 3.6 vs. 2.7 ± 2.9%). The velocity increases were smaller, but still significant between the groups for throws using the heavy ball (5.1 ± 4.2 and 2.5 ± 5.8 for the experimental and control group, respectively). Apart from the experimental group throwing the normal ball, no differences in velocity change for gender were obtained. The results confirmed that training oriented towards an increase in throwing velocity became significantly more effective when frequent knowledge of results was provided.

Effects of adding a weekly eccentric-overload training session on strength and athletic performance in team-handball players

To investigate the influence of adding a weekly eccentric-overload training (EOT) session in several athletic performance’s tests, 18 team-handball players were assigned either to an EOT (n = 11) or a Control (n = 7) group. Both groups continued to perform the same habitual strength training, but the EOT group added one session/week during a 7-week training programme consisting of four sets of eight repetitions for the bilateral half-squat and unilateral lunge exercises. The test battery included handball throwing velocity, maximum dynamic strength (1RM), countermovement jump (CMJ), 20 m sprint, triple hop for distance, and eccentric/concentric power in both the half-squat and lunge exercises. Data were analysed using magnitude-based inferences. Both groups improved their 1RM in the half squat, 20 m sprint time, and CMJ performance to a similar extent, but the EOT group showed a beneficial effect for both right [(42/58/0), possibly positive] and left [(99/1/0), very likely positive] triple hop for distance performance. In addition, the EOT group showed greater power output improvements in both eccentric and concentric phases of the half-squat (difference in percent of change ranging from 6.5% to 22.0%) and lunge exercises (difference in per cent of change ranging from 13.1% to 24.9%). Nevertheless, no group showed changes in handball throwing velocity. Selected variables related to team-handball performance (i.e. functional jumping performance, power output) can be improved by adding a single EOT session per week, highlighting the usefulness of this low-volume/high-intensity training when aiming at optimizing dynamic athletic performance.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THROWING VELOCITY WITH AND WITHOUT LEG MOVEMENTS AND ISOKINETIC MUSCLE STRENGTH IN ELITE WATER POLO PLAYERS

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THROWING VELOCITY WITH AND WITHOUT LEG MOVEMENTS AND ISOKINETIC MUSCLE STRENGTH IN ELITE WATER POLO PLAYERS

Throwing velocity in water polo elite competition: Analysis of associated variables

Throwing velocity is a relevant variable in water polo performance. Few studies have investigated the throw’s speed during an official competition or real game situation in high level competition. All throws performed in 27th European Championship in 2006 (Belgrade, Serbia) and 12th World Championships in 2007 (Melbourne, Australia) were analyzed in the present study. The total sample was composed of 5,691 throws (2,474 in female category). The study was developed with an observational design. A digital video camera, a radar and Polo Analisis Directo v1.0 software were used to record data. The reliability between the observers was verified using the kappa agreement index, ensuring that in all cases this value was greater than .85. The average maximum speed of throws in female water polo was 13.88 m/s (±2.44 m/s) and 16.94 m/s (±3.38 m/s) in male. The variables distance and game situation showed a combined ability to predict 19% of speed differences in female water polo throws and 33% in male.

Effect of a specific concurrent water and dry-land training over a season in young swimmers’ performance

The aims of this study were to assess over a full season: (i) the effect of a combined dry-land strength and conditioning and in-water program on the swimming performance of young swimmers; (ii) the effect of such program on the performance determinants; (iii) the effect of the training periodization designed. A longitudinal research design assessing an agegroup of young swimmers over a season was carried out. Methods: Twentyseven young swimmers (12 boys: 13.55±0.72-y; 15 girls: 13.16±0.93-y; both sexes in Tanner stages 2-3) were evaluated in three moments over 40 weeks. The 100-m freestyle performance, body mass, height, arm span (anthropometrics), stroke frequency, stroke length, swimming velocity, intracyclic swimming velocity (kinematics), stroke index, propelling efficiency (efficiency), squat jump, countermovement jump, and throw velocity (strength and conditioning) were assessed. A cluster analysis was computed to classify the swimmers. For the “talented” swimmers, the performance and all determinants, but the squat and countermovement jumps improved between the first and last evaluation moments. Both inwater and dry-land strength and conditioning features were responsible for the cluster discrimination in each one of the evaluation moments. All three clusters were also characterized by a mix of technical and strength & conditioning features. This highlights swimming performance as a holistic phenomenon (i.e. multiple determinants) where shifting occur in the interplay among the performance determinant according to the training periodization.

The Relationships between Ball Throwing Velocity and Physical-psychomotor Features for Talent Identification in Physical Education

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between ball throwing velocity (BTV), and physical features and anaerobic power (AP) for talent identification in team handball players. Players (n: 54) at 21,91 ± 4,94 age, training experience 11,19 ± 4,46 years participated voluntarily to study. These players consist of 54 Turkish national team female players. Spearman Correlation analysis was used for statistical evaluation and significance level was accepted as p 0.05). In conclusion, it was determined that body height, body weight, hand length and arm span influence BTV positively. It is suggested to coaches and physical education teachers that children who have great body height, hand size, and arm span should be considered during talent identification applies for team handball in school.

Maximal power training induced different improvement in throwing velocity and muscle strength according to playing positions in elite male handball players.

This study was designed to assess the effect of strength and power training on throwing velocity and muscle strength in handball players according to their playing positions. Twenty-two male handball players were assigned to either an experimental group (n=11) or a control group (n=11) (age: 22.1 ± 3.0 years). They were asked to complete (i) the ball throwing velocity test and (ii) the one-repetition maximum (1-RM) tests for the half-back squat, the pull-over, the bench press, the developed neck, and the print exercises before and after 12 weeks of maximal power training. The training was designed to improve strength and power with an intensity of 85-95% of the 1RM. In addition to their usual routine handball training sessions, participants performed two sessions per week. During each session, they performed 3-5 sets of 3-8 repetitions with 3 min of rest in between. Then, they performed specific shots (i.e., 12 to 40). Ball-throwing velocity (p<0.001) was higher after the training period in rear line players (RL). The training programme resulted in an improvement of 1RM bench press (p<0.001), 1RM developed neck (p<0.001) and 1RM print (p<0.001) in both front line (FL) and RL. The control group showed a significant improvement only in ball-throwing velocity (p<0.01) and 1RM bench press (p<0.01) in RL. A significantly greater improvement was found in ball-throwing velocity (p<0.001), 1RM bench press (p<0.001), and 1RM half-back squat exercises in players of the central axis (CA) compared to the lateral axis (LA) (p<0.01). The power training programme induced significantly greater increases in ball-throwing velocity and muscle strength in FL than RL and in CA than LA axis players.

Strength and Power Correlates of Throwing Velocity on Subelite Male Cricket Players.

Throwing velocity is an important aspect of fielding in cricket to affect run-outs and reduce the opponent's run-scoring opportunities. Although a relationship between strength and/or power and throwing velocity has been well established in baseball, water polo, and European handball, it has not been adequately explored in cricket. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the relationship between measures of strength and/or power and throwing velocity in cricket players. Seventeen male cricket players (mean ± SD; age, 21.1 ± 1.6 years; height, 1.79 ± 0.06 m; weight, 79.8 ± 6.4 kg) from an elite athlete program were tested for maximal throwing velocity from the stretch position and after a 3-meter shuffle. They were also assessed for strength and power using a range of different measures. Throwing velocity from the stretch position (30.5 ± 2.4 m·s) was significantly related to dominant leg lateral-to-medial jump (LMJ) distance (r = 0.71; p < 0.01), dominant shoulder internal rotation (IR) strength (r = 0.55; p ≤ 0.05), and dominant (r = 0.73; p < 0.01) and nondominant (r = 0.54; p ≤ 0.05) medicine ball rotation (MB Rot) throw velocity and medicine ball chest pass (MB CP) distance (r = 0.67; p < 0.01). A nonsignificant trend was observed for vertical jump (VJ) height (p = 0.06), whereas no significant relationships were observed for nondominant LMJ distance (p = 0.97), nondominant shoulder IR strength (p = 0.80), 1 repetition maximum (RM) squat strength (p = 0.57), 1RM bench press strength (p = 0.90), height (p = 0.33), or weight (p = 0.29). Multiple regression analysis revealed that dominant MB Rot and MB CP explained 66% of the variance. The results were similar for velocity after a shuffle step (31.8 ± 2.1 m·s); however, VJ height reached statistical significance (r = 0.51; p ≤ 0.05). The multiple regression was also similar with MB Rot and MB CP explaining 70% of the variance. The cricketers in this study threw with greater velocity than elite junior and subelite senior cricketers but with lower velocities than elite senior cricketers and collegiate level and professional baseball players. This is the first study to demonstrate a link between strength and/or power and throwing velocity in cricket players and highlight the importance of power development as it relates to throwing velocity. Exercises that more closely simulated the speed (body weight jumps and medicine ball throws) or movement pattern (shoulder IR) of overhead throwing were greater predictors of throwing velocity. Strength and conditioning staff should assess and develop power to enhance throwing performance in cricket players. Exercises with greater movement and speed specificity to throwing should be used in preference over exercises that are slower and have less movement specificity to the throwing motion. Cricket players should engage in power training to bridge the gap in performance between them and baseball players.

Effect of fatigue caused by a simulated handball game on ball throwing velocity, shoulder muscle strength and balance ratio: a prospective study.

BackgroundArm throwing represents a deciding element in handball. Ball velocity, aim accuracy, and dynamic stability of the shoulder are factors that influence throwing effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of muscle fatigue caused by simulated game activities (SGA) on shoulder rotational isokinetic muscle strength, muscle balance and throwing performance, and to examine the relationship between muscle strength and throwing performance.MethodsTen national elite adult handball athletes were evaluated. Isokinetic internal (IR), external (ER) rotators peak torque, and balance ratio were measured before and after SGA. Ball throwing velocity was assessed by radar gun.ResultsBoth internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators peak torque were significantly lower after SGA (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.02, respectively). However, the deleterious effect was more evident for IR than ER muscles (effect size r = 0.39 and r = 0.18, respectively). Balance ratio before and after SGA did not differ (p = 0.06). Ball throwing velocity was not impaired by SGA. Moreover, isokinetic variables correlated positively with ball velocity (r ≥ 0.67).ConclusionsSGA affected the muscle strength of IR more than ER, predisposing the shoulder joint to muscular imbalance. The muscular impairment after SGA was insufficient to impair ball throwing velocity.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13102-016-0038-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Performance Decrement and Skill Deterioration During a Water Polo Game are Linked With the Conditioning Level of the Athletes.

The aim of the study was to examine whether physical and technical performance deterioration after a water polo game is related to the athletes' conditioning level. Blood lactate concentration was measured during a 5 × 200-m incremental swimming test in 10 male water polo athletes to calculate the velocities corresponding to 4.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mmol·L lactate concentration (V4, V5, and V10, respectively) and define their conditioning level. All athletes participated in 5 competitive water polo games. Before (Pre), at half time (Mid), and after (Post) the first 2 games, handgrip strength and repeated sprint ability (8 × 20-m) were measured. Pre and Post the next 2 games, ball throwing velocity, shooting accuracy, and 400-m swim were evaluated. Pre, Mid, and Post the last game, the eggbeater kick test was performed. Handgrip strength, repeated sprint ability, 400-m swim performance, and ball shooting accuracy decreased after the game (8.4 ± 6.2%, 6.3 ± 3.4%, 7.0 ± 4.1%, and 20.3 ± 23.4%, respectively, p ≤ 0.05). V4, V5, and V10 were not significantly correlated with changes in physical or technical performance after the game. Performance in 400-m swim correlated with V4 and V5 whereas changes in 400-m swim Pre-Post, correlated with changes in ball shooting accuracy and throwing velocity (r = 0.73 and r = 0.80, p ≤ 0.05). These data suggest that V4, V5, and V10 may not correlate with performance decline in water polo. Interestingly, the 400-m swim test is connected with the decline in repeated sprints, ball shooting accuracy, and throwing velocity after a water polo game in well-trained athletes.

Modelling the relationship between biomechanics and performance of young sprinting swimmers

The aim of this study was to compute a swimming performance confirmatory model based on biomechanical parameters. The sample included 100 young swimmers (overall: 12.3 ± 0.74 years; 49 boys: 12.5 ± 0.76 years; 51 girls: 12.2 ± 0.71 years; both genders in Tanner stages 1–2 by self-report) participating on a regular basis in regional and national-level events. The 100 m freestyle event was chosen as the performance indicator. Anthropometric (arm span), strength (throwing velocity), power output (power to overcome drag), kinematic (swimming velocity) and efficiency (propelling efficiency) parameters were measured and included in the model. The path-flow analysis procedure was used to design and compute the model. The anthropometric parameter (arm span) was excluded in the final model, increasing its goodness-of-fit. The final model included the throw velocity, power output, swimming velocity and propelling efficiency. All links were significant between the parameters included, but the throw velocity–power output. The final model was explained by 69% presenting a reasonable adjustment (model's goodness-of-fit; x2/df = 3.89). This model shows that strength and power output parameters do play a mediator and meaningful role in the young swimmers’ performance.

Effect of Different Interrepetition Rest Periods on Barbell Velocity Loss During the Ballistic Bench Press Exercise.

This study investigated the effect of introducing different interrepetition rest (IRR) periods on the ability to sustain maximum bench press throw velocity with a range of loads commonly used to develop upper-body power. Thirty-four physically active collegiate men (age: 21.5 ± 2.8 years; body mass: 75.2 ± 7.2 kg; height: 176.9 ± 4.9 cm) were tested during 2 consecutive weeks. During the first week, the maximum dynamic strength (repetition maximum [RM]) in bench press exercise was determined (RM = 76.7 ± 13.2 kg). The following week, 3 testing sessions were conducted with 48 hours apart in random order. In each day of evaluation, only 1 load (30%RM, 40%RM, or 50%RM) was assessed in the bench press throw exercise. With each load, subjects performed 3 single sets of 15 repetitions (15-minute interset rest) with 3 different sets configurations: continuous repetitions (CR), 6 seconds of IRR (IRR6), and 12 seconds of IRR (IRR12). The decrease of peak velocity (PV) was significantly lower for IRR12 compared with CR and IRR6 at least since the repetition 4. No differences between CR and IRR6 protocols were found until the repetition 7 at 30%RM and 40%RM and until the repetition 5 at 50%RM. The decrease of PV during the CR protocol was virtually linear for the 3 loads analyzed (r > 0.99); however, this linear relationship became weaker for IRR6 (r = 0.79-0.95) and IRR12 (r = 0.35-0.87). These results demonstrate that IRR periods allow increasing the number of repetitions before the onset of significant velocity losses.

Throwing-Related Injuries of the Subscapularis in Professional Baseball Players

Objectives:Injuries to the shoulder are a common cause of missed playing time in professional baseball athletes. These injuries predominately involve the supraspinatus tendon or the glenoid labrum. The purpose of this project is to describe a series of throwing-related injuries to the subscapularis muscle-tendon complex that have been previously unreported amongst baseball players. Additionally, it is the goal to describe a mechanism of injury as well as a treatment program for these athletes.Methods:A retrospective review of shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of players from 1 Major League Baseball organization over the course of 5 years was performed to identify cases with findings suggestive of a subscapularis injury. The MRIs were graded and the medical records were reviewed to assess clinical findings, treatment plans, and follow-up. In the injured cohort, preinjury baseline measurements of shoulder motion including external rotation at 90° of abduction were compared to measurements from a non-injured baseball athlete cohort to evaluate whether decrease external rotation is a risk factor for this injury.Results:A total of 133 MRI scans of the shoulder were evaluated. Eleven of the 133 MRIs demonstrated signal changes suggesting subscapularis injury. Ten of these 11 patients had clinical findings supporting a diagnosis of throwing-related subscapularis strain. There were 4 grade I, 4 grade II, and 2 grade III injuries. All injuries occurred in the inferior half of the subscapularis at the myotendinous junction. Risk of subscapularis injury increased with lower levels of dominant arm external rotation (odds ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82-0.94; P < .001). A threshold of dominant arm external rotation of less than 106° demonstrated sensitivity of 0.700 (95% CI, 0.392-0.897) and specificity of 0.951 (95% CI, 0.888-0.982) for subscapularis injury. All players were treated conservatively without surgery; only 1 did not return to play. Of the remaining players, the mean number of days missed because of injury was 27 (range, 11-61 days).Conclusion:Throwing-related subscapularis injuries occur in the inferior half of the muscle at the myotendinous junction. The subscapularis muscle fibers are oriented along a fan shape because of the relatively narrow insertion on the lesser tuberosity of the proximal humerus and a broader origin on the scapula with muscle fiber alignment dependent on arm position. When the thrower's arm is at 90 degrees of abduction and external rotation, the inferior fibers of the subscapularis comes to be aligned in the transverse plane across the glenohumeral joint and are placed on greatest stretch during the late cocking and early acceleration phases of throwing. Our data suggest that there is an increased risk of these injuries with lower levels of dominant arm external rotation as this shorter arc requires greater force production by the subscapularis muscle to achieve the same peak throwing velocity.

Sport-Specific Training Targeting the Proximal Segments and Throwing Velocity in Collegiate Throwing Athletes.

The ability to generate, absorb, and transmit forces through the proximal segments of the pelvis, spine, and trunk has been proposed to influence sport performance, yet traditional training techniques targeting the proximal segments have had limited success improving sport-specific performance. To investigate the effects of a traditional endurance-training program and a sport-specific power-training program targeting the muscles that support the proximal segments and throwing velocity. Randomized controlled clinical trial. University research laboratory and gymnasium. A total of 46 (age = 20 ± 1.3 years, height = 175.7 ± 8.7 cm) healthy National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III female softball (n = 17) and male baseball (n = 29) players. Blocked stratification for sex and position was used to randomly assign participants to 1 of 2 training groups for 7 weeks: a traditional endurance-training group (ET group; n = 21) or a power-stability-training group (PS group; n = 25). Mean Outcome Measure(s) : The change score in peak throwing velocity (km/h) normalized for body weight (BW; kilograms) and change score in tests that challenge the muscles of the proximal segments normalized for BW (kilograms). We used 2-tailed independent-samples t tests to compare differences between the change scores. The peak throwing velocity (ET group = 0.01 ± 0.1 km/h/kg of BW, PS group = 0.08 ± 0.03 km/h/kg of BW; P < .001) and muscle power outputs for the chop (ET group = 0.22 ± 0.91 W/kg of BW, PS group = 1.3 ± 0.91 W/kg of BW; P < .001) and lift (ET group = 0.59 ± 0.67 W/kg of BW, PS group = 1.4 ± 0.87 W/kg of BW; P < .001) tests were higher at postintervention in the PT than in the ET group. An improvement in throwing velocity occurred simultaneously with measures of muscular endurance and power after a sport-specific training regimen targeting the proximal segments.

The role of rotational mobility and power on throwing velocity.

Sound rotational power and mobility are an integral component in functional performances, such as throwing and striking. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of rotational power and mobility on cricket ball-throwing velocity. Eleven professional cricketers and 10 under-19 club-level cricketers performed the chop and lift, seated and standing cricket ball throw, seated and standing side medicine ball throw, and seated active thoracic rotation range of motion (ROM) and hip rotation ROM on one occasion. Participants were divided into 2 groups (fast and slow) based on their standing cricket ball-throwing velocity. The seated and standing cricket ball throw on the dominant side was significantly different (p < 0.00) between fast and slow throwers (11.03 and 10.7 km·h(-1), respectively). Muscular performance measures, such as bilateral thoracic rotation ROM, hip external rotation ROM on the dominant side, and force and work required in the chop, were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) between fast and slow throwers. Faster throwers in this study displayed greater force (18.4%) and work (31.2%) outputs in the chop compared with the slower throwers; however, slower throwers showed significantly greater ROM in the thoracic (13.4-16.8%) and hip regions (11.8%). It was concluded that greater ROM at proximal segments, such as hips and thoracic, may not increase throwing velocity in cricket as reduced ROM at proximal segments can be useful in transferring the momentum from the lower extremity in an explosive task such as throwing.