Biomechanical differences between left- and right-handed baseball pitchers

Solomito, Matthew J.; Ferreira, Joel; Nissen, Carl W.

doi:10.1080/14763141.2016.1186725

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The discrepancy may be due to the one-sided distribution of handedness and footedness. Biomechanical differences have been shown between left- and right-handed baseball pitchers and also for the elbow flexion, horizontal glenohumeral abduction and wrist coronal plane motion 57 . Furthermore, discrepancies in the test protocol existed in TT and ST compared to FtF, LI and RF.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The acute effect in performing common range of motion tests in healthy young adults: a prospective study

Holzgreve

Maurer-Grubinger

Isaak

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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In the application of range of motion (ROM) tests there is little agreement on the number of repetitions to be measured and the number of preceding warm-up protocols. In stretch training a plateau in ROM gains can be seen after four to five repetitions. With increasing number of repetitions, the gain in ROM is reduced. This study examines the question of whether such an effect occurs in common ROM tests. Twenty-two healthy sport students (10 m/12 f.) with an average age of 25.3 ± 1.94 years (average height 174.1 ± 9.8 cm; weight 66.6 ± 11.3 kg and BMI 21.9 ± 2.0 kg/cm2) volunteered in this study. Each subject performed five ROM tests in a randomized order—measured either via a tape measure or a digital inclinometer: Tape measure was used to evaluate the Fingertip-to-Floor test (FtF) and the Lateral Inclination test (LI). Retroflexion of the trunk modified after Janda (RF), Thomas test (TT) and a Shoulder test modified after Janda (ST) were evaluated with a digital inclinometer. In order to show general acute effects within 20 repetitions we performed ANOVA/Friedman-test with multiple comparisons. A non-linear regression was then performed to identify a plateau formation. Significance level was set at 5%. In seven out of eight ROM tests (five tests in total with three tests measured both left and right sides) significant flexibility gains were observed (FtF: p < 0.001; LI-left/right: p < 0.001/0.001; RF: p = 0.009; ST-left/right: p < 0.001/p = 0.003; TT-left: p < 0.001). A non-linear regression with random effects was successfully applied on FtF, RF, LI-left/right, ST-left and TT-left and thus, indicate a gradual decline in the amount of gained ROM. An acute effect was observed in most ROM tests, which is characterized by a gradual decline of ROM gain. For those tests, we can state that the acute effect described in the stretching literature also applies to the performance of typical ROM tests. Since a non-linear behavior was shown, it is the decision of the practitioner to weigh up between measurement accuracy and expenditure. Researchers and practitioners should consider this when applying ROM assessments to healthy young adults.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The acute effect in performing common range of motion tests in healthy young adults: a prospective study

Holzgreve

Maurer-Grubinger

Isaak

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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“…This paper included fourteen right-handed and three left-handed pitchers. Further research should examine the differences of weighted-ball training between right- and left-handed pitchers, as previous research has suggested differences in range of motion, humeral retroversion, and biomechanics depending on the dominant throwing arm ( Solomito, Ferreira & Nissen, 2017 ; Werner et al, 2010 ; Takenaga et al, 2017 ). It is therefore possible that pitchers should have different throwing, mobility, and strength programs depending on which arm is dominant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a six-week weighted-implement throwing program on baseball pitching velocity, kinematics, arm stress, and arm range of motion

Marsh

Wagshol

Boddy

et al. 2018

PeerJ

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BackgroundWeighted-baseball training programs are used at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels of baseball. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a six-week training period consisting of weighted implements, manual therapy, weightlifting, and other modalities on shoulder external rotation, elbow valgus stress, pitching velocity, and kinematics.HypothesisA six-week training program that includes weighted implements will increase pitching velocity along with concomitant increases in arm angular velocities, joint kinetics, and shoulder external rotation.MethodsSeventeen collegiate and professional baseball pitchers (age range 18–23, average: 19.9 ± 1.3) training at Driveline Baseball were evaluated via a combination of an eight-camera motion-capture system, range-of-motion measurements and radar- and pitch-tracking equipment, both before and after a six-week training period. Each participant received individualized training programs, with significant overlap in training methods for all athletes. Twenty-eight biomechanical parameters were computed for each bullpen trial, four arm range-of-motion measurements were taken, and pitching velocities were recorded before and after the training period. Pre- and post-training period data were compared via post-hoc paired t tests.ResultsThere was no change in pitching velocity across the seventeen subjects. Four biomechanical parameters for the holistic group were significantly changed after the training period: internal rotational velocity was higher (from 4,527 ± 470 to 4,759 ± 542 degrees/second), shoulder abduction was lower at ball release (96 ± 7.6 to 93 ± 5.4°), the shoulder was less externally rotated at ball release (95 ± 15 to 86 ± 18°) and shoulder adduction torque was higher (from 103 ± 39 to 138 ± 53 N-m). Among the arm range of motion measurements, four were significantly different after the training period: the shoulder internal rotation range of motion and total range of motion for both the dominant and non-dominant arm. When the group was divided into those who gained pitching velocity and those who did not, neither group showed a significant increase in shoulder external rotation, or elbow valgus stress.ConclusionsFollowing a six-week weighted implement program, pitchers did not show a significant change in velocity, joint kinetics, or shoulder external rotation range of motion. When comparing pitchers who gained velocity versus pitchers who did not, no statistically significant changes were seen in joint kinetics and shoulder range of motion.

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“…The clinician scientist also performs sub group analyses for left and right handers, as these sub populations have demonstrated different clinical phenotypes, including demonstrating different height, 55 mass, 50 humeral torsion, 56,57 and pitch velocity. 58 The clinician scientist observed that there is still a difference in total shoulder rotation between injured and non-injured pitchers, which after controlling for all confounders, is 12º. Further when analyzing left and right handers separately, left handers demonstrated a 9º difference and right handers demonstrated a 15º difference.…”

Section: Application In Sport Using Baseball As the Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

Personalized Injury Reduction Strategies in Sports Medicine: Lessons Learned from Advances in Breast Cancer Treatment: A Clinical Commentary

Bullock

Collins

Adams³

et al. 2023

International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy

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Background Injury rates across sport have risen over the past twenty years, despite increased efforts in training and injury prevention. The rise in injury rates suggest that current approaches to estimating injury risk and risk management are not effective. One factor limiting progress is the inconsistency in screening, risk assessment, and risk management strategies to guide injury mitigation approaches. Clinical Question How can sports physical therapists identify and apply lessons learned from other healthcare fields to improve athlete injury risk and risk management strategies? Key Results Breast cancer mortality has consistently decreased over the last 30 years, largely attributed to advances in personalizing the prevention and treatment strategies which include modifiable and non-modifiable factors when assessing risk, the transition to personalized medicine, and the systematic approach used to investigate individual risk factors. Three critical phases have facilitated the identification and importance of individual risk factors and developing targeted, personalized strategies for breast cancer risk including: 1) Establishing the potential relationship between factors and outcomes; 2) Prospectively investigate the strength and direction of the relationship; 3) Investigating if intervening on identified factors alters prognosis. Clinical Application Applying lessons learned from other healthcare fields could improve shared decision making between the clinician and athlete concerning risk assessment and management. Examples include calculating only non-modifiable risk, creating individualized screening schedules based on risk assessment, or calculating the influence of each intervention on the athlete’s injury risk. A systematic approach to identify and intervene on risk is needed to improve athlete outcomes.

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Biomechanical differences between left- and right-handed baseball pitchers

Cited by 15 publications

References 10 publications

The acute effect in performing common range of motion tests in healthy young adults: a prospective study

The acute effect in performing common range of motion tests in healthy young adults: a prospective study

Effects of a six-week weighted-implement throwing program on baseball pitching velocity, kinematics, arm stress, and arm range of motion

Personalized Injury Reduction Strategies in Sports Medicine: Lessons Learned from Advances in Breast Cancer Treatment: A Clinical Commentary

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