Biceps Activity during Windmill Softball Pitching

Rojas, Idubijes L.; Provencher, Matthew T.; Bhatia, Sanjeev; Foucher, Kharma C.; Bach, Bernard R.; Romeo, Anthony A.; Wimmer, Markus A.; Verma, Nikhil N.

doi:10.1177/0363546508328105

Cited by 80 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The pitching surface was positioned so that the participant's stride foot would land on top of a 40 6 60 cm Bertec force plate (Bertec Corp, Columbus, OH), which was anchored into the floor. For the current study, those data from the fastest pitch passing through the strikezone were selected for detailed analysis (Guido et al, 2009;Oliver & Keeley, 2010a, 2010bRojas et al, 2009). Pitch velocity was determined by a JUGS radar gun (OpticsPlanet, Inc., Northbrook, IL) positioned at the base of the pitching surface and directed towards home plate.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The sport of fast-pitch softball has become very popular for female athletes and is a unique athletic skill that is beginning to be explored (Barrentine, Fleisig, Whiteside, Escamilla, & Andrews, 1998;Guido, Werner, & Meister, 2009;Oliver, Dwelly, & Kwon, 2010;Rojas et al, 2009;Werner et al, 2005;Werner, Jones, Guido, & Brunet, 2006). It has been reported that during 2003 more than 2 million girls participated in the sport of softball (Werner et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ground reaction forces, kinematics, and muscle activations during the windmill softball pitch

Oliver

Plummer

2011

Journal of Sports Sciences

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The aims of the present study were to examine quantitatively ground reaction forces, kinematics, and muscle activations during the windmill softball pitch, and to determine relationships between knee valgus and muscle activations, ball velocity and muscle activation as well as ball velocity and ground reaction forces. It was hypothesized that there would be an inverse relationship between degree of knee valgus and muscle activation, a direct relationship between ground reaction forces and ball velocity, and non-stride leg muscle activations and ball velocity. Ten female windmill softball pitchers (age 17.6 ± 3.47 years, stature 1.67 ± 0.07 m, weight 67.4 ± 12.2 kg) participated. Dependent variables were ball velocity, surface electromyographic (sEMG), kinematic, and kinetic data while the participant was the independent variable. Stride foot contact reported peak vertical forces of 179% body weight. There were positive relationships between ball velocity and ground reaction force (r = 0.758, n = 10, P = 0.029) as well as ball velocity and non-stride leg gluteus maximus (r = 0.851, n = 10, P = 0.007) and medius (r = 0.760, n = 10, P = 0.029) muscle activity, while there was no notable relationship between knee valgus and muscle activation. As the windmill softball pitcher increased ball velocity, her vertical ground reaction forces also increased. Proper conditioning of the lumbopelvic-hip complex, including the gluteals, is essential for injury prevention. From the data presented, it is evident that bilateral strength and conditioning of the gluteal muscle group is salient in the windmill softball pitch as an attempt to decrease incidence of injury.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ground reaction forces, kinematics, and muscle activations during the windmill softball pitch

Oliver

Plummer

2011

Journal of Sports Sciences

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“…The peak of activation is shortly before ball release. Here, the elbow is flexed minimally and the biceps is contracted eccentrically (28,30).…”

Section: Pitchingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since the overhand throwing technique is identical in baseball and softball, rotator cuff problems such as tendinitis, strains, and impingement are still commonplace. However windmill pitchers seem to be at increased risk of developing biceps tendinitis due to the high levels of biceps brachii muscle activation that occurs near the end of the delivery (28,30). Athletes will complain of pain through the bicipital groove in the anterior aspect of the proximal humerus.…”

Section: Proximal Biceps Tendinitismentioning

confidence: 99%

Injuries and Medical Issues in Softball

Briskin¹

2012

Current Sports Medicine Reports

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Softball is enjoyed by millions of female and male athletes of all ages and competitive levels. Windmill pitchers are at risk for developing overuse injuries in the throwing arm. Improper mechanics and lack of pitch counts may increase the risk for developing a pitching-related injury. Softball-related overuse injuries include proximal biceps tendinitis, upper extremity stress fractures, and ulnar neuritis. Acute injuries commonly occur in the lower extremity and include both fractures and ligamentous injuries. Sliding injuries account for a significant number of these lower extremity injuries. The addition of breakaway bases and mandatory use of protective headgear by defensive players may decrease acute injuries commonly seen in softball. Off-season programs should stress proper throwing and sliding mechanics, core conditioning, and a lower extremity neuromuscular education program.

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“…The biomechanics of windmill softball pitching remains scantly investigated relative to overhand throwing, and some investigators have reported commonalities between the two forms of throwing in terms of kinetics and relative risk for injuries of the pitching arm (1, 15, 24, 39, 40). However, there are obvious kinematic differences between windmill and overhand throwing which likely influence where internal loads are placed and resultant tissue adaptation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Midhumerus Adaptation in Fast-Pitch Softballers and the Effect of Throwing Mechanics

Bogenschutz

Smith

Warden

2011

Medicine &Amp; Science in Sports &Amp; Exercise

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Purpose Throwing is a vigorous activity that generates large internal loads. There is limited evidence of the effect of these loads on bone adaptation. The aim of this study was to investigate the: 1) magnitude of bone adaptation within the midshaft humerus of female fast-pitch softball players and 2) influence of throwing mechanics (windmill vs. overhand throwing) on the magnitude of adaptation. Methods Midshaft humeral bone mass, structure and estimated strength were assessed via peripheral quantitative computed tomography in fast-pitch softball players (throwers; n=15) and matched controls (controls; n=15). The effect of throwing was examined by comparing dominant-to-nondominant differences in throwers to controls, while the influence of mechanics was determined by comparing dominant-to-nondominant differences in throwers who primarily play as pitcher (windmill thrower), catcher (overhand thrower) or fielder (overhand thrower). Results Throwers had greater dominant-to-nondominant difference in midshaft humeral bone mass, structure and estimated strength relative to controls (all P<0.05). The largest effect was for estimated torsional strength with throwers having a mean dominant-to-nondominant difference of 22.5% (range, 6.7% to 43.9%) compared to 4.4% (range, -8.3% to 17.5%) in controls (P<0.001). Throwing mechanics appeared to influence the magnitude of skeletal adaptation, with overhand throwers having more than double dominant-to-nondominant difference in midshaft humeral bone mass, structure and estimated strength than windmill throwers (all P<0.05). Conclusion Throwing induces substantial skeletal adaptation at the midshaft humerus of the dominant upper extremity. Throwing mechanics appears to the influence the magnitude of adaptation as catchers and fielders (overhand throwers) had twice as much adaptation as pitchers (windmill throwers). The latter finding may have implications for skeletal injury risk at the midshaft humerus in throwing athletes.

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Biceps Activity during Windmill Softball Pitching

Abstract: Repetitive eccentric biceps contractions may help explain the high incidence of anterior shoulder pain clinically observed in elite windmill pitchers. Injury prevention and treatment mechanisms should focus on the phases with the highest muscle activity.

Cited by 80 publications

References 14 publications

Ground reaction forces, kinematics, and muscle activations during the windmill softball pitch

Ground reaction forces, kinematics, and muscle activations during the windmill softball pitch

Injuries and Medical Issues in Softball

Midhumerus Adaptation in Fast-Pitch Softballers and the Effect of Throwing Mechanics

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