A r m motion in throwing is extremelv violent. Perhaps n o throw is m o r e dvnamic than baseball pitching, and, as ;i result. there is a high incidence o f elbow in.juries in pitchers (3,7,(10)(11)(12). If better preventive a n d rehabilitative programs a r e t o b e developed, it is important t o understand t h e biomechanics of t h e pitching motion. T h e purpose o f this studv is t o quantify t h e joint kinematics (ie.. ranges o f motion a n d joint velocities), joint kinetics (ie.. joint forces a n d torques), a n d muscle activitv about t h e elbow a n d explain t h e relevance o f these results for injury prevention a n d rehabilitation. Previous studies have reported either joint kinetics (4. 6) or muscle activitv (3, 8 , 10). but this study represents t h e first effort t o simultaneously quantifv a n d correlate both. METHODS Testing ProcedureSeven healthy college a n d minor league pitchers were tested in a n ind o o r biomechanics laboratory. T h e pitchers had a n average height o f 1.8 m a n d a n average mass of 89.7 kg. F~c h athlete pitched from a n in-

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Excessive distraction stress at the throwing shoulder is similar to that found in baseball pitchers, which suggests that windmill softball pitchers are at risk for overuse injuries. Normative information regarding upper extremity kinematics and kinetics for elite softball pitchers has been established.

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Excessive distraction stress and joint torques at the throwing-arm elbow and shoulder are similar to those found in baseball pitchers, which suggests that windmill softball pitchers are at risk for overuse injuries. Normative information regarding upper and lower extremity kinematics and kinetics for 12- to 19-year-old softball pitchers has been established.