The Influence of an Active Glove Arm in Softball Pitching: A Biomechanical Evaluation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether glove arm kinematics during a windmill softball pitch impact pelvic and trunk kinematics as well as pitching arm shoulder kinetics. Thirty-Nine college softball pitchers (20.0±1.4 yrs.; 174.7±6.1 cm; 82.0±13.0 kg; 10.7±2.7 yrs. of experience) threw 3 pitches to a catcher while kinematic and kinetic data were collected. Pearson product moment correlations were run, and significant correlations found with glove arm kinematics, occurring before pelvis kinematics, trunk kinematics, and shoulder kinetics, were then put through a linear regression to identify whether there was any potential cause and effect. Results revealed that glove arm elbow flexion during phase 1 significantly predicted normalized shoulder rotation moment during phase 4 (t=2.60, p=0.013). Additionally, glove arm shoulder horizontal abduction during phase 1 significantly predicted normalized shoulder moment in phase 3 (t=− 2.40, p=0.021) and pelvic angular velocity during phase 3 (t=− 3.20, p=0.003). In conclusion, an active glove arm was predictive of a more efficient kinetic chain later in the windmill pitching motion and could possibly play a role in preventing injury by lessening pitching shoulder joint loads.

Decreased Shoulder and Elbow Joint Loads During the Changeup Compared With the Fastball and Curveball in NCAA Division I Collegiate Softball Pitchers

“…Two kinetic parameters were calculated with The MotionMonitor software (Innovative Sports Training) as previously described. 2 , 7 - 11 , 17 , 18 , 37 , 38 Kinetic parameters were calculated as maximal external mass normalized forces during the acceleration phase and included elbow anterior force and shoulder distraction force of the pitching arm. Data were analyzed during the acceleration phase, as research has established this phase exhibits the largest throwing arm forces and torques throughout the pitch.…”

Baseball pitching and softball pitching: Why the perplexity?

“…To further expound on the body working as a kinetic chain during dynamic upper extremity movement, we would be remiss not to mention the two studies performed by Barfield et al [36,37] regarding the utilization of the glove arm in baseball and softball pitching. Previously, it has been documented that the utilization of the glove arm in baseball pitching is associated with trunk positioning during the baseball pitch [38].…”

“…Thus, follow up investigation by Barfield et al reiterated the importance of a more active glove arm in youth baseball pitchers could assist in not only optimal trunk positioning for the most efficient use of energy transfer from the lower extremity but also, decreased throwing arm kinetics [37]. Then to follow-up, and theoretically support the notion of viewing both baseball and softball as dynamic upper extremity movements with different arm slots, Barfield and colleagues examined the influence of an active glove arm in softball pitching and the association with segmental sequencing of the pelvis and trunk as well as pitching arm kinetics [36]. Similar to the association of an active glove arm in baseball pitching, an active glove arm in softball pitching was also predictive of a more efficient kinetic chain during the softball pitching motion [36,37].…”

“…Then to follow-up, and theoretically support the notion of viewing both baseball and softball as dynamic upper extremity movements with different arm slots, Barfield and colleagues examined the influence of an active glove arm in softball pitching and the association with segmental sequencing of the pelvis and trunk as well as pitching arm kinetics [36]. Similar to the association of an active glove arm in baseball pitching, an active glove arm in softball pitching was also predictive of a more efficient kinetic chain during the softball pitching motion [36,37].…”

Impact of Engaging the Nonthrowing Arm on Maximal Ball Velocity From an Overhand Throw With Both the Dominant and Nondominant Arms: A Pilot Study

“…Biomechanically, the shoulder of the nonthrowing arm acts as a pivot about which to rotate (Feltner & Dapena, 1989;Ishida & Hirano, 2004;Murata, 2001), moves toward the chest, and rests until the termination of the movement. Literature has indicated that the more active the nonthrowing side (e.g., extended arm, greater abduction, increase trunk rotational velocity) at maximum shoulder external rotation, the faster the throw, regardless of thrower skill level (Aguinaldo et al, 2007;Barfield et al, 2018Barfield et al, , 2019Fu et al, 2017;Ishida & Hirano, 2004). For example, Ishida and Hirano (2004) demonstrated a decrease in torso rotation and ball velocity when the nonthrowing arm was restricted compared with a nonrestricted throw.…”