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Biomechanics of the Windmill Softball Pitch
Abstract
This study provides a general analysis of the angular velocity and angular acceleration of the shoulder and elbow joints, as well as the linear velocity and acceleration of the ball throughout all phases of the windmill softball pitch. By viewing a simple video recording of a novice and expert pitch, plotting the crucial instances through each phase of both pitches, and finally performing the appropriate calculations for the aforementioned values, useful information is revealed in regards to skill variation between the novice and expert pitchers. The angular velocity of the expert's elbow joint at release is over three times greater than the novice. The angular elbow joint velocity of the expert is -2520 degrees/second, while that of the novice equals -600 degrees/second. Thus, the release and follow-through phase show the expert's linear ball velocity to be greater at ~25 meters/second compared to the novice's linear ball velocity of ~13 meters/second. In addition, the expert takes only 10 frames to release the ball, while the novice releases the ball much later at 19 frames. The slower angular and linear velocities of the novice are overwhelming attributed to a lack of pitching experience.
Introduction
There has been a recent upsurge of interest in fast-pitch softball.This interest is certainly due to the championship performance of the American team in the last Olympics.In fact, the level of play in all age brackets, from young girls to the Olympic team, has improved significantly. Unfortunately, only a few studies, producing little information, have been conducted concerning the biomechanics and various injury types observed in players, chiefly pitchers.However, current research interest has begun to produce studies aiding the softball community in a better understanding of prevention methods and rehabilitation for common injuries.Thus, the importance of proper technique, particularly during the windmill softball pitch, is of utmost importance to the health of the pitcher as well as the outcome of the game. Through the analysis of the angular components of the arm during the windmill pitch, as well as the linear components of the ball at the point of release, much useful data may be gathered revealing insight into optimal pitching technique.By means of a biomechanical study, pitchers may be supplied with the knowledge needed to execute the pitching motion with favorable skill and precise ball placement
Review of Literature
The proper mechanics of the windmill softball pitch are crucial in the achievement of optimal execution as well as the prevention of injury. Particular aspects of the pitch must be evaluated when coaching a novice. Such critical aspects of the windmill pitch include: grip, stance, initial move, top of upswing, middle downswing, point of release, and follow-through. The proper grip includes holding the ball with the fingers, ball away from palm. The upper body then leans forward as stride movement and the 360 degree arm swing begin the initial move. Upon the point of release, the stride foot is firmly planted with flexed knees, arm is extended, and the wrist begins to snap. Lastly, the hips close, weight moves from the back leg to the front foot, and the arm is flexed with the elbow pointing to home plate during the follow-through.
Through proper body position and subsequent movement, a kinematics evaluation of the windmill pitch reveals important insight into the characteristic velocity and acceleration defining a skilled individual's pitch. Such kinematics studies indicate the expert's ability to decelerate proximal segments of the upper extremity, and thereby transfer momentum to the distal segments. The resultant velocity of a pitch is also influenced by the eccentric stretch of the proximal agonist muscles due to the inertia created by the distal segments. Consequently, this stretch excites muscle spindles and joint receptors producing a powerful concentric contraction, and thus a greater velocity.
Kinematics factors not only affect pitching performance, but also influence injury potential when combined with kinetic forces. The most significant instance for the underhand pitch is during the delivery or acceleration, where the force to resist distractions at the shoulder and elbow are the greatest. This type of distraction force tends to pull the arm away from the shoulder joint. Shoulder extension and abduction are the two parameters critical to injury prevention; in addition, these movements are also involved in pitch timing coordination. These parameters are optimized in the same manner for injury prevention and maximum ball speed. Consequently, differences in gender, size, weight of the ball, and pitching environment between overhand and underhand pitchers, usually create the assumption that underhand pitching does not produce considerable stress on the shoulder and elbow. Therefore, further research is needed to ascertain the affects of underhand pitching on overuse injures.
Abstract
This study provides a general analysis of the angular velocity and angular acceleration of the shoulder and elbow joints, as well as the linear velocity and acceleration of the ball throughout all phases of the windmill softball pitch. By viewing a simple video recording of a novice and expert pitch, plotting the crucial instances through each phase of both pitches, and finally performing the appropriate calculations for the aforementioned values, useful information is revealed in regards to skill variation between the novice and expert pitchers. The angular velocity of the expert's elbow joint at release is over three times greater than the novice. The angular elbow joint velocity of the expert is -2520 degrees/second, while that of the novice equals -600 degrees/second. Thus, the release and follow-through phase show the expert's linear ball velocity to be greater at ~25 meters/second compared to the novice's linear ball velocity of ~13 meters/second. In addition, the expert takes only 10 frames to release the ball, while the novice releases the ball much later at 19 frames. The slower angular and linear velocities of the novice are overwhelming attributed to a lack of pitching experience.
Introduction
There has been a recent upsurge of interest in fast-pitch softball.This interest is certainly due to the championship performance of the American team in the last Olympics.In fact, the level of play in all age brackets, from young girls to the Olympic team, has improved significantly. Unfortunately, only a few studies, producing little information, have been conducted concerning the biomechanics and various injury types observed in players, chiefly pitchers.However, current research interest has begun to produce studies aiding the softball community in a better understanding of prevention methods and rehabilitation for common injuries.Thus, the importance of proper technique, particularly during the windmill softball pitch, is of utmost importance to the health of the pitcher as well as the outcome of the game. Through the analysis of the angular components of the arm during the windmill pitch, as well as the linear components of the ball at the point of release, much useful data may be gathered revealing insight into optimal pitching technique.By means of a biomechanical study, pitchers may be supplied with the knowledge needed to execute the pitching motion with favorable skill and precise ball placement
Review of Literature
The proper mechanics of the windmill softball pitch are crucial in the achievement of optimal execution as well as the prevention of injury. Particular aspects of the pitch must be evaluated when coaching a novice. Such critical aspects of the windmill pitch include: grip, stance, initial move, top of upswing, middle downswing, point of release, and follow-through. The proper grip includes holding the ball with the fingers, ball away from palm. The upper body then leans forward as stride movement and the 360 degree arm swing begin the initial move. Upon the point of release, the stride foot is firmly planted with flexed knees, arm is extended, and the wrist begins to snap. Lastly, the hips close, weight moves from the back leg to the front foot, and the arm is flexed with the elbow pointing to home plate during the follow-through.
Through proper body position and subsequent movement, a kinematics evaluation of the windmill pitch reveals important insight into the characteristic velocity and acceleration defining a skilled individual's pitch. Such kinematics studies indicate the expert's ability to decelerate proximal segments of the upper extremity, and thereby transfer momentum to the distal segments. The resultant velocity of a pitch is also influenced by the eccentric stretch of the proximal agonist muscles due to the inertia created by the distal segments. Consequently, this stretch excites muscle spindles and joint receptors producing a powerful concentric contraction, and thus a greater velocity.
Kinematics factors not only affect pitching performance, but also influence injury potential when combined with kinetic forces. The most significant instance for the underhand pitch is during the delivery or acceleration, where the force to resist distractions at the shoulder and elbow are the greatest. This type of distraction force tends to pull the arm away from the shoulder joint. Shoulder extension and abduction are the two parameters critical to injury prevention; in addition, these movements are also involved in pitch timing coordination. These parameters are optimized in the same manner for injury prevention and maximum ball speed. Consequently, differences in gender, size, weight of the ball, and pitching environment between overhand and underhand pitchers, usually create the assumption that underhand pitching does not produce considerable stress on the shoulder and elbow. Therefore, further research is needed to ascertain the affects of underhand pitching on overuse injures.