Medication Status and Gait Mechanics in Older Adults: A Multivariate Analysis.

Background And Purpose: Falls are the leading cause of unintentional deaths in older adults, with nearly one-third of adults older than 65 years falling annually. Previous work reveals that both medication status and gait changes are contributing factors to falls in older adults; however, it is unknown how these factors interact. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to examine differences between gait biomechanics as a function of medication status in individuals older than 60 years with a self-reported history of falling.

Lower body predictors of glenohumeral compressive force in high school baseball pitchers.

The purpose of this study was to better understand how lower body kinematics relate to peak glenohumeral compressive force and develop a regression model accounting for variability in peak glenohumeral compressive force. Data were collected for 34 pitchers. Average peak glenohumeral compressive force was 1.

Comparison of pitching kinematics between youth and adult baseball pitchers: a meta-analytic approach.

Coaches teach proper mechanics at a young age in an effort to increase pitching efficiency (i.e., proper pitching mechanics).

A biomechanical model correlating shoulder kinetics to pain in young baseball pitchers.

Previous work has postulated that shoulder pain may be associated with increases in both peak shoulder anterior force and peak shoulder proximal force. Unfortunately these relationships have yet to be quantified. Thus, the purpose of this study was to associate these kinetic values with reported shoulder pain in youth baseball pitchers.

Shoulder kinematics during pitching: comparing the slide step and traditional stretch deliveries.

Although studies have investigated the traditional stretch delivery, there is little biomechanical data describing the slide step delivery in baseball pitchers. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare shoulder kinematics across the traditional stretch and slide step deliveries. To collect kinematic data from thirty-seven high school baseball pitchers, electromagnetic sensors recording at 140 Hz were affixed to various body segments.

Muscle activation patterns of the upper and lower extremity during the windmill softball pitch.

Fast-pitch softball has become an increasingly popular sport for female athletes. There has been little research examining the windmill softball pitch in the literature. The purpose of this study was to describe the muscle activation patterns of 3 upper extremity muscles (biceps, triceps, and rhomboids [scapular stabilizers]) and 2 lower extremity muscles (gluteus maximus and medius) during the 5 phases of the windmill softball pitch.

Predicting asymmetrical lower extremity strength deficits in college-aged men and women using common horizontal and vertical power field tests: a possible screening mechanism.

Strength deficits in the quadriceps and hamstrings have been linked to several lower extremity injuries. The most common protocol used in testing for these deficits is isokinetic strength testing, which is both costly and time consuming. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to employ common vertical and horizontal power field tests to identify those protocols that best predict lower extremity strength deficits.

Pelvis and torso kinematics and their relationship to shoulder kinematics in high-school baseball pitchers.

It was the purpose of our study to examine the kinematics of the pelvis and torso and determine their relationship to the kinematics of the shoulder in high-school baseball pitchers. A single group, repeated-measures design was used to collect pelvis, torso, and shoulder kinematics throughout the pitching motion. Subjects threw a series of maximal effort fastballs to a catcher located the regulation distance (18.

Gluteal muscle group activation and its relationship with pelvis and torso kinematics in high-school baseball pitchers.

The purpose of this study was to examine the activation patterns of the gluteal muscle group and their relationship to pelvis and torso kinematics throughout the high-school pitching motion. A single group, repeated-measures design was used to collect gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscle activity through surface electromyography for the preferred and nonpreferred sides during the various phases of the pitching motion. In addition, data describing the kinematics of the pelvis and torso were collected at foot contact, maximum shoulder external rotation, ball release, and maximum shoulder internal rotation.

Biomechanical analysis of forearm pronation and its relationship to ball movement for the two-seam and four-seam fastball pitches.

This study examined forearm pronation in relation to both the vertical and horizontal ball movement measured for 2 variations of the fastball pitch. Ten healthy collegiate baseball pitchers participated in the study (age: 19.4 +/- 0.

A biomechanical analysis of youth pitching mechanics.

Background: It is estimated that nearly 6% of youth baseball participants seek medical attention for injuries sustained during play. Most injuries are overuse injuries, and 26% are to the shoulder or upper arm. By quantifying youth pitching biomechanics, knowledge can be gained concerning the manner in which these injuries are sustained during play.