Kinematics and kinetics of youth baseball pitching with standard and lightweight balls

Fleisig, Glenn S.; Phillips, Randy; Shatley, Andrew; Loftice, Jeremy; Dun, Shouchen; Drake, Shawn; Farris, James W.; Andrews, James R.

doi:10.1007/bf02844117

Cited by 42 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…again, velocity of the throw increased at each level, but there was no difference in the throwing motion. Subsequent studies of male baseball pitchers ages 9-12 yrs (Fleisig et al 2006) further supported these conclusions.…”

Section: What Causes Childhood Gender Differences In Throwing?mentioning

confidence: 82%

The ontogeny of throwing and striking

Young

2009

Human Ontogenetics

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The ontogeny of throwing and striking R i c h a R d W . Y o u n g r E V i E W abstract humans are the most adept throwers in the animal kingdom. although throwing has been recorded in other primates, it is rare, weak, inaccurate and entails only arm movement. in contrast, human throwing is an explosive act employed from a bipedal stance that involves a complex, exceedingly rapid, full-body movement. This motion generates a pulse of kinetic energy in the legs that is progressively augmented by the pelvis, trunk, arm and hand, where it is transferred to a missile that is launched toward the target with high velocity and accuracy. Linking the study of throwing development in young children with analysis of the adult throwing motion makes it possible to address the question of whether human throwing is an acquired behavior or is based primarily on an inherited motor program. current evidence supports the conclusion that the role of instruction and learning is minimal. human throwing is predominantly the result of an innate motor program which emerges at a very early age in all children without teaching, yields a throwing motion that is the forerunner of the one used by adult athletes, is characterized by a prominent gender difference, and proceeds in some adults to a high level of proficiency. The same conclusions apparently apply also to striking (club-swinging), which employs a similar full-body motion. an explanation for these observations is presented, based upon the concept that throwing and club-swinging prowess provided reproductive advantages during early human evolution.introduction Darwin (1871) was the first to call attention to the remarkable ability of our species to throw with speed and accuracy. "To throw a stone with as true an aim as can a Fuegian in defending himself, or in killing birds," he wrote, "requires the most consummate perfection in the correlated action of the muscles of the hand, arm, and shoulder, not to mention a fine sense of touch" (1871, p. 138). Such behavior is rarely recorded in other primates, and when observed it is ineffective. darwin associated human throwing prowess with a distinctive body structure. The hands and arms could hardly have become perfect enough to have hurled stones and spears with a true aim, he believed, as long as they were habitually used for locomotion, body support, or climbing trees; furthermore, the successful thrower must stand firmly on his feet in an upright, bipedal stance. Today, darwin's conclusions are thoroughly documented. Modern human adults are indeed the most effective throwers by a wide margin, a generalization that can be expanded to include the related behavior of swinging clubs. in their highest development, both motor skills employ a rapid, coordinated sequence of muscle contractions that begins in the legs and traverses the body, progressively accumulating kinetic energy that ultimately is transmitted to the hand, which then projects the missile or club towards a target.is this behavior inherited or learned? is it based upon an innat...

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Section: What Causes Childhood Gender Differences In Throwing?mentioning

confidence: 82%

The ontogeny of throwing and striking

Young

2009

Human Ontogenetics

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“…40 Fleisig et al 16 investigated this issue by testing their 34 youth pitchers pitching both standard (5 ounces) and lightweight (4 ounces) baseballs. They found that with the lightweight baseball, the youth pitcher produced greater elbow extension velocity, shoulder internal rotation velocity, and ball velocity, but less elbow varus torque and shoulder internal rotation torque.…”

Section: Elbow Biomechanics For Youth Baseball Pitchersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elbow Biomechanics During Sports: 21st Century Research

Fleisig

Loftice

Andrews

2006

Techniques in Orthopaedics

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Injuries to the elbow joint are becoming more and more prominent in today's sporting society. This is largely because of the biomechanical demands during popular sports such as baseball, softball, and tennis; wherein the majority of elbow injuries occur. Implications for injuries in these sports range from overuse to incorrect mechanics, which cause increased loads at the elbow joint. This can be seen in the overhead throwing motion where a large varus torque leads to tensile injuries in the medial elbow and compressive injuries in the lateral elbow. The tennis serve produces large varus torque like in baseball pitching, but significantly less elbow extension velocity and elbow flexion torque. In cricket, elbow biomechanics play a very important role, as the rules prohibit elbow flexion during the arm acceleration of bowling. Windmill softball pitchers were once thought to not be at high risk for injury because of their style of throw. However, studies of windmill pitching reveal rapid kinematics and high kinetic loads that are leading to increased amounts of injuries. To improve on surgical treatment, physical therapy, and even prevention of elbow injuries, one must have a good understanding of the biomechanics of the elbow during these activities. This article presents recent advances in understanding elbow biomechanics during sports, based on studies published since the year 2000.

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“…The baseball literature has investigated youth pitching mechanics and helped to inform these guidelines. However, with the exception of one study that showed lightweight balls to reduce the elbow varus and shoulder internal rotation torques of 11-year-old pitchers,10 the influence of playing rules or equipment on the likelihood of injury has not been examined. The work of Fleisig et al 9 is important though as it highlights a potential paradox between the skill learning and injury outcomes of modified sport.…”

Section: The Current Limits Of Our Understanding and (Not So) Best Prmentioning

confidence: 99%