Comparison of In-Game Trunk and Upper Extremity Kinematics Between Fastballs, Breaking Balls, and Changeups in NCAA Division I Collegiate Baseball Pitchers.

Background: Previous biomechanical analyses of baseball pitching report similar kinematics between pitch types. However, prior studies were conducted in a controlled laboratory environment.

Purpose/hypothesis: This study aimed to compare in-game trunk and upper extremity kinematics between fastballs, breaking balls, and changeups to determine whether there are kinematic differences that may affect performance as well as to provide new insights into potential risk factors for injury.

Relationship Between Stride Mechanics and Shoulder Distraction Force in Collegiate Softball Pitchers.

Background: Softball pitchers experience high shoulder distraction forces, and increased stride lengths are associated with upper extremity pain. Therefore, it is important to consider the influence of stride mechanics on shoulder distraction force in softball pitchers.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between stride mechanics and shoulder distraction force in collegiate softball pitchers.

Predicting the Presence of Pain in Youth Baseball Pitchers Using the Concept of Biomechanical Efficiency.

Background: Increases in peak shoulder distraction force and peak elbow valgus torque may influence throwing-arm pain and injury risk in youth pitchers.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine whether shoulder distraction force and elbow valgus torque while accounting for anthropometrics and pitch velocity can predict the presence of pain in youth baseball pitchers. It was hypothesized that throwing-arm pain could be predicted using the concept of biomechanical efficiency, where a pitcher who is less efficient (having higher force or torque with the same pitch velocity) is more likely to experience pain.

The Difference Between Throwing and Practice Volumes in Youth Softball Athletes With and Without Upper Extremity Pain.

Background: Research indicates that mechanics differ between athletes with and without upper extremity pain; however, it is unclear which modifiable risk factors exist for throwing-related pain in softball athletes.

Purpose: To determine whether sport specialization, throwing, practice, and strength and conditioning training volumes vary between youth softball athletes with and without upper extremity pain. It was hypothesized that youth softball athletes with upper extremity pain would participate in softball year-round and have greater throwing, practice, and strength and conditioning volumes compared with those without pain.

Energy Flow during Baseball Machine Hitting.

The primary aims of the study were to perform a descriptive analysis of hitting energetics off a pitching machine and to compare between the rear- and lead-side lower and upper extremities. Eighty-five high school to minor league baseball athletes participated. Five full-effort swings off a pitching machine with the fastest exit velocity were used for analysis.

Kinematics of Hitting in Youth Baseball: Implications for Skill Development.

This study compared lower extremity, trunk, and upper extremity kinematics between tee and front toss hitting in youth baseball athletes. Twenty youth baseball athletes (14.3±2.

Comparison of Peak Shoulder Distraction Forces Between Pain and Pain-Free Youth Baseball Pitchers.

Background: Increased shoulder distraction force during a baseball pitch may make a pitcher susceptible to rotator cuff or glenohumeral labral injuries. A precursor to a pitching injury may be pain experienced in the throwing arm.

Purpose: To (1) compare peak shoulder distraction (PSD) forces in youth baseball pitchers with and without upper extremity pain when throwing a fastball and (2) assess if PSD forces across trials differ between pain and pain-free groups.

Single-Leg Squat and Reported Pain in Collegiate Softball Pitchers.

Background: Single-leg squat (SLS) performance is related to altered mechanics related to injury during the windmill softball pitch; however, it is unknown if SLS kinematics differ between softball pitchers with and without upper extremity pain.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare knee valgus, trunk rotation, trunk lateral flexion, and trunk flexion during an SLS in collegiate softball pitchers with and without self-reported upper extremity pain. It was hypothesized that those who reported upper extremity pain would show increased compensatory trunk and knee kinematics compared with those without pain.

Pelvis and Trunk Energy Flow in Collegiate Softball Pitchers With and Without Upper Extremity Pain.

Background: The softball pitch is a full-body motion, where efficient proximal to distal energy flow through the kinetic chain is said to reduce stress at the upper extremity. Although altered trunk kinematic parameters are associated with upper extremity pain in softball pitchers, further research is needed to determine whether differences exist in proximal energy flow between softball pitchers with and without pain.

Hypothesis/purpose: To examine pelvis and trunk energy flow during the acceleration phase of the pitch in collegiate softball pitchers with and without upper extremity pain.

Preliminary Analysis of Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test Differences Between Healthy and Previously Injured/In-Pain Baseball Pitchers.

Background: A comprehensive examination of the kinetic chain during an overhead athlete's upper extremity assessment, such as the closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test (CKCUEST), may help clinicians identify potential upper extremity dysfunction.

Hypothesis: Body position observed on dominant and nondominant hand touch during a CKCUEST trial differs between players with previous injury/pain history compared with healthy counterparts.

Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Peak Elbow Flexion Does Not Influence Peak Shoulder Distraction Force or Ball Velocity in NCAA Division I Softball Pitchers.

Background: High shoulder distraction force has been observed in softball pitchers during the acceleration phase (top of the pitch to ball release) of a pitch. Increasing elbow flexion may reduce shoulder forces and the susceptibility to pain by shortening the lever arm of the throwing arm.

Purpose: To determine the association of peak elbow flexion during the acceleration phase of the pitch with peak shoulder distraction force and ball velocity.

Segment power analysis of collegiate softball hitting.

The primary aim of this investigation was to describe the energy flow through the kinetic chain during softball hitting using a segmental power analysis. Twenty-three NCAA Division I collegiate softball athletes (20.4 ± 1.

Association Between Passive Hip Range of Motion and Pitching Kinematics in High School Baseball Pitchers.

Background: Limitations in passive hip range of motion (PROM) may negatively affect pitching mechanics in baseball pitchers. Understanding the relationships between PROM and mechanics can assist in the development of injury prevention protocols.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of hip rotational PROM with pelvis and trunk rotation during pitching in high school baseball pitchers.

Comparison of Pelvis and Trunk Kinematics Between Youth and Collegiate Windmill Softball Pitchers.

Background: The windmill softball pitch is a dynamic sporting movement that places softball pitchers at high risk of injury. Unlike baseball, there is limited research into the mechanical differences between softball pitchers of varying skill levels.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare pelvis and trunk kinematics between youth and collegiate softball pitchers.

The influence of a simulated game on muscular strength in female high-school and collegiate softball pitchers.

Softball pitchers often pitch several games within a day and over consecutive days during a competitive season. High volumes of pitches thrown can decrease muscular strength, resulting in less proximal force generation and upper extremity compensation to maintain performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess upper and lower extremity muscular strength after pitching in a simulated game.

Hip Range of Motion and Strength and Energy Flow During Windmill Softball Pitching.

Context: Inadequate hip range of motion (ROM) and isometric strength (ISO) may interfere with energy flow through the kinetic chain and result in increased injury susceptibility.

Objective: To examine the relationship of hip ROM and ISO with energy flow through the trunk and pitching-arm segments during the windmill softball pitch in youth athletes. A subsequent purpose was to examine the relationship between energy flow and pitch speed.

Kinematic Differences Exist Between the Fastball, Changeup, Curveball, and Dropball Pitch Types in Collegiate Softball Pitchers.

Background: A majority of softball literature focuses on the mechanics associated with pain and injury within a single pitch type per study; however, the generalizability of these findings is unknown since a kinematic comparison has yet to be performed between pitch types. Understanding kinematic differences between pitch types can be used to identify risk factors for injury, improve safety guidelines, and improve performance by linking specific mechanics with desired pitch outcomes.

Hypothesis/purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare kinematics between the fastball, changeup, curveball, and dropball pitch types in collegiate softball pitchers.

Effects of Hip Range of Motion and Isometric Strength on Energy Flow during Windmill Softball Pitching.

Context: Inadequate hip range of motion (ROM) and isometric strength (ISO) may interfere with energy flow through the kinetic chain and result in increased injury susceptibility.

Objective: To examine the relationship of hip ROM and ISO with energy flow through the trunk and pitching arm segments during the windmill softball pitch in youth athletes. A subsequent purpose was to examine the relationship between energy flow and pitch speed.

Lower Extremity Pain and Pitching Kinematics and Kinetics in Collegiate Softball Pitchers.

The primary aims of the study were (1) to examine kinematics and kinetics of those pitching with and without lower extremity pain in collegiate softball pitchers, and (2) to determine if there was an association between the lower extremity pain and lower extremity kinematics, trunk kinematics, and shoulder kinetics in collegiate softball pitchers. Thirty-seven NCAA Division I female collegiate softball pitchers (19.8±1.

Optimal Load Magnitude and Placement for Peak Power Production in a Vertical Jump: A Segmental Contribution Analysis.

Bordelon, NM, Jones, DH, Sweeney, KM, Davis, DJ, Critchley, ML, Rochelle, LE, George, AC, and Dai, B. Optimal load magnitude and placement for peak power production in a vertical jump: A segmental contribution analysis. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 911-919, 2022-Weighted jumps are widely used in power training, however, there are discrepancies regarding which loading optimizes peak jump power.

Longitudinal assessments of balance and jump-landing performance before and after anterior cruciate ligament injuries in collegiate athletes.

The purpose was to quantify the effect of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on balance and jump-landing performance and bilateral asymmetries. Among 500 collegiate athletes who performed a reaching test and a double-leg counter-movement jump-landing test at baseline, 8 male and 6 female athletes suffered ACL injuries. In the follow-up, they performed the reaching test 3 and 6 months after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and the jump-landing test 6 months after ACLR.

Educational Intervention Changes College Students' Attitudes toward Prescription Opioid Drug Use.

More than 47,000 people in the United States died from opioid drug overdoses in 2017. Among college students, opioid drugs are the second most abused drug. This study aimed to examine if an educational intervention impacted college students' attitudes towards prescription opioid drugs (POD).