Abstract
Background:
There is a paucity of research regarding the relationship between fastpitch
softball pitching mechanics and reported pain. Thus, understanding the
pitching mechanics of athletes pitching with upper extremity pain and those
pain free is paramount.
Purpose:
To examine lower extremity pitching mechanics, upper extremity kinetics, and
upper extremity pain in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Division I female softball pitchers.
Study Design:
Descriptive laboratory study.
Methods:
A total of 37 NCAA Division I female softball pitchers (mean age, 19.84 ±
1.28 years; mean height, 173.67 ± 7.77 cm; mean weight, 78.98 ± 12.40 kg)
from across the United States were recruited to participate. Participants
were divided into 2 groups: upper extremity pain (n = 13; mean age, 19.69 ±
1.18 years; mean height, 172.60 ± 11.49 cm; mean weight, 86.75 ± 13.02 kg)
and pain free (n = 24; mean age, 19.91 ± 1.35 years; mean height, 174.26 ±
4.96 cm; mean weight, 74.78 ± 9.97 kg). An electromagnetic tracking system
was used to obtain kinematic and kinetic data during the riseball softball
pitch.
Results:
At foot contact (F3,33 = 7.01, P = .001), backward elimination
regression revealed that stride length, trunk rotation, and center of mass
(COM) significantly explained about 33% of variance with softball pitchers
experiencing upper extremity pain (adjusted R2 = 0.33).
Conclusion:
At foot contact, the kinematic variables of increased trunk rotation toward
the pitching arm side, increased stride length, and a posteriorly shifted
COM were associated with upper extremity pain in collegiate softball
pitchers. Variables early in the pitching motion that do not set a working
and constructive proximal kinetic chain foundation for the rest of the pitch
to follow could be associated with breakdowns more distal in the kinetic
chain, possibly increasing the susceptibility to upper extremity pain.
Clinical Relevance:
The identification of pitching mechanics associated with pain allows
clinicians to develop exercises to avoid such mechanics. Avoiding mechanics
associated with pain may help reduce the prevalence of pain in windmill
softball pitchers as well as help coaches incorporate quantitative
biomechanics into their instruction.
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