The influence of stride width on kinematic and kinetics in high school and professional baseball pitchers: A propensity-matched biomechanical evaluation
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
3-18-2022
Journal
Journal of science and medicine in sport
DOI
10.1016/j.jsams.2022.03.009
Keywords
Baseball; Biomechanics; Foot placement; Motion-capture; Shoulder; Torque
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate kinematic and kinetic parameters for high school (HS) and professional (PRO) pitchers differentiated by stride width. DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: HS (n = 36) and PRO (n = 172) baseball pitchers pitched 8-12 fastballs using 3D-motion capture (480-Hz). Pitchers were 1:1 propensity-scored matched by age, height, weight, and ball velocity based on 'narrow' versus 'wide' stride widths and kinematics and kinetics were compared using independent t-tests. Independent associations between variables and stride width were determined utilizing linear regressions. RESULTS: At foot contact, HS wide (n = 18) had significantly less lead knee flexion (41 ± 9° vs. 49 ± 6°, p = 0.007, d = -1.0) and less pelvis rotation (66 ± 9° vs. 57 ± 14°, p = 0.003 d = 0.8) compared to HS narrow (n = 18). PRO wide (n = 86) at ball release had significantly less pelvis rotation (-10 ± 10° vs. -15 ± 14°, p = 0.008, d = 0.4) and increased shoulder horizontal adduction (4±8° vs. -1±9°, p=0.003, d=0.5) compared to PRO narrow (n = 86). For every 10 cm increase in stride width, pelvis rotation at ball release decreased by 2° (B:0.10, β:0.20, p < 0.001) in HS and 1.3° (B:0.08, β:0.13, p = 0.002) in PRO. CONCLUSIONS: HS and PRO pitchers differentiated by stride width demonstrated no significant difference in throwing arm kinetics. For both groups, wider stride width was associated with decreased pelvis rotation, which may contribute to inefficient utilization of kinetic energy. Ultimately, coaches and players may better focus their efforts on refining other kinematics for enhanced performance outcomes and safe pitching mechanics.
APA Citation
Manzi, Joseph E.; Brusalis, Christopher M.; Dowling, Brittany; Krichevsky, Spencer; Quan, Theodore; Huang, Daniel; Moran, Jay; Kunze, Kyle N.; and Dines, Joshua S., "The influence of stride width on kinematic and kinetics in high school and professional baseball pitchers: A propensity-matched biomechanical evaluation" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 575.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/575
Department
School of Medicine and Health Sciences Student Works