Biomechanical Analysis of Collegiate Baseball: Training Implications for Enhancement of Pitching Endurance

Document Type

Conference Presentation

Department

Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Department

Conference Title

American College of Sports Medicine - Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise conference

Organization

American College of Sports Medicine

Location

Orlando, FL

Date of Presentation

6-1-2019

Journal Publication

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

ISSN

0195-9131

DOI

10.1249/01.mss.0000563400.58963.9a

Volume

51

Issue

6S

First Page

966

Abstract

Endurance is critical to a starting pitcher’s success. However, the repetition of pitching stress can decrease performance and increase risk of injury in later innings. Improving arm endurance likely enhances late-game performance. PURPOSE: To evaluate predictors of mechanical endurance in collegiate pitchers. METHODS: 10 Division-1 pitchers were tested using Proteus technology (Boston Biomotion, Inc.). They completed 6 sets of 5 pitches; each set changed in resistance, ranging from ½ to 5 lbs. Endurance was a calculation of the ability to preserve power in each set on a continuous scale of 0.00 (0% preservation) to 1.00 (100% preservation). Mean endurance was the mean value of all 6 sets. Proteus also assessed biceps curls, triceps extensions, internal and external rotation, and horizontal adduction and abduction. Pitchers were tested during the 2017 season and data were compared to in-game performances. Linear regressions tested the relationships between endurance, performance on other tests, and in-game statistics. RESULTS: Pitchers were 72.0 ± 2.7 inches in height, had a mean fastball velocity of 84.6 ± 3.9 mph, a mean earned run average (ERA) of 5.8 ± 2.8, and a mean endurance of 97.7 ± 1.9%. Endurance was unrelated to class year (p=0.857) and was not related to anthropometric measurements, including height (p=0.460), weight (p=0.188), arm length (p=0.350), and leg length (p=0.464). Maximum squat strength (p=0.917), fastball velocity (p=0.832), and three-dimensional measurement of pitch range of motion (p=0.730) were also unrelated to pitch endurance. Biceps curl endurance (p=0.035) and triceps extension explosiveness (p=0.089) of the dominant arm correlated with pitching endurance. These relationships lost significance on non-dominant arm for curls (p=0.241) and extensions (p=0.187). Given a larger sample, other associations may be found; of interest, there may be relationships between endurance and innings per appearance (β= 0.353, R2=0.196; p=0.232) and ERA (β= -0.559, R2=0.149; p=0.305). Post-hoc power analyses revealed samples of 30 and 38 respectively to reach significance (power=0.80; p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue results from repetitive overhead throwing, elevating risk of overuse injuries. Use of Proteus may provide modes of exercise unrecognized by traditional baseball training.

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