College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CANADA.
School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2023 Aug 1;55(8):1481-1486. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003167. Epub 2023 Mar 10.
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between pitcher trunk and throwing arm girth with kinematics at ball release of the softball pitch. Softball pitchers can be of various shapes and sizes; however, it is unknown if segment girth might influence pitch biomechanics. Because of the importance of body positioning at ball release of the windmill pitch, this study examined the relationship between segment girth and pitch biomechanics at ball release.
Forty-two pitchers volunteered to participate (1.706 ± 0.061 m, 74.98 ± 15.94 kg, 15.5 ± 1.7 yr). Participants' throwing upper arm, chest, waist, and hip girth were measured. Participants then pitched fastballs to a catcher (43 ft) while an electromagnetic motion capture system synced with a force plate and motion analysis software collected kinematic data (sampled at 240 Hz).
Linear regressions revealed that upper arm, chest, and waist girth were associated with throwing arm shoulder horizontal abduction. Greater segment girth was associated with less horizontal abduction at ball release of the pitch.
Segment girth is related to pitch biomechanics and may influence body positions at crucial softball pitch events such as ball release.
Understanding biomechanical differences according to body segment girth is important for safe and optimal player development and performance.
本研究旨在探讨垒球投手躯干和投球臂围与投球动作中球释放时运动学之间的关系。垒球投手的体型和身高各不相同；但是，目前尚不清楚肢体围度是否会影响投球动作的生物力学。由于风车式投球在球释放时的身体姿势非常重要，因此本研究探讨了肢体围度与球释放时投球动作生物力学之间的关系。
42 名投手自愿参与（1.706±0.061m，74.98±15.94kg，15.5±1.7 岁）。测量参与者的投球上臂、胸部、腰部和臀部围度。然后，参与者向捕手投出快球（43 英尺），同时电磁运动捕捉系统与力板和运动分析软件同步收集运动学数据（以 240Hz 的速度采样）。
线性回归显示，上臂、胸部和腰部围度与投球手臂肩水平外展有关。肢体围度越大，投球时水平外展的幅度越小。
肢体围度与投球动作的生物力学有关，可能会影响到关键的垒球投球事件，如球的释放。
根据身体部位围度了解生物力学差异对安全和优化运动员的发展和表现非常重要。
