Effects of a Disturbed Kinetic Chain in the Fastball Pitch on Elbow Kinetics and Ball Speed
Ton (A. J. R.) Leenen,
Bart Van Trigt,
Marco (M. J. M.) Hoozemans,
DirkJan (H. E. J.) Veeger
Affiliations
Ton (A. J. R.) Leenen
Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, van der Boechorstraat 9, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Bart Van Trigt
Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Material Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
Marco (M. J. M.) Hoozemans
Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, van der Boechorstraat 9, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
DirkJan (H. E. J.) Veeger
Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Material Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of an experimentally imposed kinetic chain disturbance in baseball pitching on ball speed and elbow kinetics. The experimental design consisted of two (within-subject) conditions. In one condition there was no manipulation (control condition). The other condition involved a manipulation of the kinetic chain by taping the pelvis and trunk. In both conditions, pitchers were instructed to throw fastballs until a minimum of 15 pitches were captured. Inverse dynamic solutions were used calculate the internal elbow moments of six elite youth baseball pitchers. The pitchers that were hampered in throwing fastballs, by the taped pelvis and trunk, showed significant lower ball speeds and peak internal varus moments compared to the pitchers that were allowed to throw without any hindrance.
