Within- subject time series angular velocity differences between in-game high and low velocity fastballs in college baseball pitchers

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to investigate the within-pitcher differences in time series angular velocities of the pelvis, trunk, shoulder, and elbow for high and low velocity fastballs in college baseball pitchers.

Methods: In- game data were retrospectively analyzed from 82 NCAA Division 1 pitchers ([1.89 ​± ​0.06] m, [92.8 ​± ​9.5] kg). Kinematic data were collected using an in-game markerless motion capture system. Time series data of pelvis, trunk, shoulder, and elbow angular velocities for each pitcher's fastest and slowest fastball were extracted for the pitch cycle (foot contact to ball release) and used for analysis. Within-subject time series comparisons were conducted using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) paired samples t-tests (α ​= ​0.012 5).

Results: Each of the tested segments were significantly faster in the fastest fastball trial compared to the slowest fastball trial. The duration of significance in reference to the pitch cycle, test statistic, and p-value, for each segment are as follows: Pelvis: 0%-4%, t ​= ​3.54, p ​= ​0.012; Trunk: 30%-67%, t ​= ​5.62, p ​< ​0.001; Shoulder External Rotation: 3%-50%, t ​= ​−6.03, p ​< ​0.001; Shoulder Internal Rotation: 96%-100%, t ​= ​4.11, p ​= ​0.008; Elbow: 75%-86%, t ​= ​4.13, p ​< ​0.001.

Discussion: Within- subjects differences exist in time series angular velocities when comparing the fastest and slowest fastball. These time series differences provide additional information to distinguish fastball velocity beyond what discrete metrics can provide. Pitchers should look to rotate each segment faster, and optimize the sequencing of these movements, to increase pitch velocity.

Keywords

Statistical parametric mapping / Performance / Pitching

Ethical approval statement

The retrospective analysis of previously collected baseball pitching data was approved by both the Auburn University Institutional Review Board (protocol 23-218 EX2304) and the University of Arkansas Insti-tutional Review Board (protocol 2,102,318,176), both under exempt status. Obtaining informed consent was exempted by both Institutional Review Boards. This study was implemented in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Conflict of interest

All authors delclare that they have no known personal or financial conflicts of interest that could have influenced the reported work of the current study.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Adam Nebel: Writing - review & editing, Writing - original draft, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptu-alization. Abigail Schmitt: Writing - review & editing, Writing - original draft, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization. Kevin Giordano: Writing - review & editing, Writing - original draft, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization. Gretchen Oliver: Writing - review & editing, Writing - original draft, Supervision, Resources, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors of the submission WITHIN-SUBJECT TIME SERIES ANGULAR VELOCITY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW VE-LOCITY FASTBALLS IN COLLEGE BASEBALL PITCHERS report no con-flicts of interest.

References

[1] Whiteside D, Martini DN, Zernicke RF, Goulet GC. Ball speed and release consistency predict pitching success in Major League Baseball. J Strength Condit Res. 2016; 30(7): 1787-1795. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001296.

[2] Scarborough DM, Linderman SE, Sanchez JE, Berkson EM. Kinematic sequence classification and the relationship to pitching limb torques. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2021; 53(2):351-359. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002471.

[3] Putnam CA. Sequential motions of body segments in striking and throwing skills: descriptions and explanations. Review. J Biomech. 1993; 26(Suppl 1):125-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9290(93)90084-r.

[4] Scarborough DM, Leonard NK, Mayer LW, Oh LS, Berkson EM. The association of baseball pitch delivery and kinematic sequence on stresses at the shoulder and elbow joints. J Sports Sci Med. 2021; 20(1):94. https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2021.94.

[5] Scarborough DM, Linderman SE, Sanchez JE, Berkson EM. Baseball pitchers’ kinematic sequences and their relationship to elbow and shoulder torque production. Ortho J Sports Med. 2019; 7(7_suppl5):2325967119S00429. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967119S00429.

[6] Stodden DF, Fleisig GS, McLean SP, Andrews JR. Relationship of biomechanical factors to baseball pitching velocity: within pitcher variation. J Appl Biomech. 2005; 21(1):44-56. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.21.1.44.

[7] Orishimo KF, Kremenic IJ, Mullaney MJ, Fukunaga T, Serio N,McHugh MP. Role of pelvis and trunk biomechanics in generating ball velocity in baseball pitching. J Strength Condit Res. 2023; 37(3):623-628. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004314.

[8] Bullock GS, Strahm J, Hulburt TC, Beck EC, Waterman BR, Nicholson KF. The relationship of range of motion, hip shoulder separation, and pitching kinematics. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2020; 15(6):1119-1128. https://doi.org/10.26603/ijspt20201119.

[9] Luera MJ, Dowling B, Muddle TW, Jenkins ND. Differences in rotational kinetics and kinematics for professional baseball pitchers with higher versus lower pitch velocities. J Appl Biomech. 2020; 36(2):68-75. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2019-0235.

[10] Mine K, Milanese S, Jones MA, Saunders S, Onofrio B. Pitching mechanics and performance of adult baseball pitchers: a systematic review and meta-analysis for normative data. J Sci Med Sport. 2023; 26:69-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2022.11.004.

[11] Werner SL, Suri M, Guido Jr JA, Meister K, Jones DG. Relationships between ball velocity and throwing mechanics in collegiate baseball pitchers. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2008; 17(6):905-908. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2008.04.002.

[12] Agresta C, Freehill MT, Nakamura B, Guadagnino S, Cain SM. Using sensors for player development: assessing biomechanical factors related to pitch command and velocity. Sensors. 2022; 22(21):8488. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22218488.

[13] Bench RW, McKinnon CD, Brady A, Mulholland C, Sonne M, Holmes M. Determining relationships between kinematic sequencing and baseball pitch velocity using markerless motion capture. Int Soc Biomech Sport. 2023; 41(1):10.

[14] Manzi JE, Dowling B, Wang Z, et al. Association of pitch timing and throwing arm kinetics in high school and professional pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2021; 49(12): 3386-3394. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465211031853.

[15] Aguinaldo AL, Chambers H. Correlation of throwing mechanics with elbow valgus load in adult baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2009; 37(10):2043-2048. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546509336721.

[16] Dames KD, Smith JD, Heise GD. Averaging trials versus averaging trial peaks: impact on study outcomes. J Appl Biomech. 2017; 33(3):233-236. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2016-0164.

[17] Giordano KA, Schmitt AC, Nebel AR, Yanagita Y, Oliver GD. Normative in-game data for elite collegiate baseball pitchers using markerless tracking technology. Orthop J Sports Med. 2024; 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/23259671241274137, 23259671241274137.

[18] Scarborough DM, Bassett AJ, Mayer LW, Berkson EM. Kinematic sequence patterns in the overhead baseball pitch. Sports BioMech. 2020; 19(5):569-586. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2018.1503321.

[19] Diffendaffer AZ, Bagwell MS, Fleisig G, et al. The clinician's guide to baseball pitching biomechanics. Sport Health. 2022;23:19417381221078537. https://doi.org/10.1177/19417381221078537.

[20] Fleisig GS, Phillips R, Shatley A, et al. Kinematics and kinetics of youth baseball pitching with standard and lightweight balls. Sports Eng. 2006; 9:155-163. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02844117.

[21] Yanagisawa O. Alterations in pitching biomechanics and performance with an increasing number of pitches in baseball pitchers: a narrative review. PMLA R. 2024; 16(6):632-643. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.13054.