Biomechanics: Softball Throw

The overarm throw is a skill frequently used in a wide range of sports such as cricket,softball and baseball. The action is also used in athletic activities such as javelin, with the overhead serve and smash in tennis, volleyball and badminton and passing a netball and basketball.An overarm throw is the action of the arm swinging backwards then upwards, as the elbow moves close to ear level, leading the throw forward a step is taken with the foot opposite the throwing arm, during the throw, body rotates to face forward and body weight transfers from back to front foot, the elbow then

For Newton's first law of motion which states that "every object remains at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled to change its state by the action of an external force" is seen in both pitching and hitting. When the game is on going pitchers wait for a signal from the catcher before throwing. While they are waiting they hold the baseball in their glove or hand before throwing. Once they receive the signal they windup their arm and send the ball into motion down to home base. Pitchers uses Newton's first law of motion in order to throw fastballs, sliders, and curve balls. When you are up at bat you wait until the pitcher sets the ball in motion. Once the ball is in motion the hitter sets the bat in motion by swinging at the

“The analysis of movement provides an athlete with optimal development as well as minimising the risk of developing injuries through the incorrect execution of a movement” (Ackland, Elliott & Bloomfield, 2009, p 301).

In this phase the athlete is standing in a neutral position holding the ball. The metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal (great and lesser toes) are held at slight flexion pressed against the ground by an isometric contraction of the flexor halluces longus, flexor digitorum longus, flexor digitorum longus. The ankle is plantar flexed using an isometric contraction of the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The tibiofermoral (knee) joints are slightly flexed by a isomectric contraction of the quadriceps muscles (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius). The acetabularfemoral (hip) joint is held at a postion of slight flexion through an isometric contraction of the biceps femoris, pectineus, iliacus, and the psoas. The intervertebral (lumbar) joint is extended by an isometric contraction using the erector spinae. The atlantooccipital (cervical spine) joint is flexed by an isometric contraction erector spinae. Both scapulothroracic (shoulder girdle) joint is protracted by an isometric contraction of the serratus anterior and pectoralis minor. The glenohumeral (shoulder) joint is at internal rotation by an isometric contraction using the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, teres major, and the subscapularius. The humeroulnar (elbow) joint is at 90 degrees of flexion by an isometric contraction using the biceps brachii, brachioradialis, and brachialis. The radiocarpal (wrist left and right)

This study will attempt to include technique as a variable in the analysis of improvements in distances in the throwing events. Prior studies focused primarily on strength as the major, if not only variable, for making improvements.

Main Motor Patterns: Catching a softball that is hit and throwing a softball that has been caught. Jumping and sprinting during practice or a game to catch a ball.

It is extremely difficult to maintain arm health for a full season. Because of the increased average velocity and innings thrown throughout pitchers in the major leagues, a higher percentage of pitchers have encountered injuries in the elbow and UCL reconstruction is necessary to continue their baseball career. Tearing of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) is a very severe injury and requires surgery or reconstruction of the ligament in order to throw again.The recovery process is long and grueling and can have an effect on the mental aspect of throwing a baseball with intent or maximum effort. In “ Biomechanical Performance of Baseball Pitchers with a History of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction” Fleisig, Laughlin, Aune, and colleagues claim that this tentative attribute inhibits biomechanics of throwing the baseball such as stride length, tilt of pitch, velocity, and noticeably different shoulder and elbow mechanics (Fleisig, Laughlin, Aune, et. al., 2015, page 1045). However, these Orthopedic Surgeons and Baseball Medical Officials performed a study that demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the biomechanics of pitchers with reconstructive surgery and those without it. Being able to return to an equal or higher level of play after surgery and rehabilitation is possible and players are not at a

However, in the same paragraph, he goes on to counter with the statement that “an orthopedist, an anatomist, and coach of a women’s softball team” declare there is no structural difference in the shoulders. By mentioning that three knowledgeable people agree that there is no difference, Fallows adequately shuts down the opposing argument. At the end of paragraph 14, tennis instructor, Vic Braden, is introduced. According to Fallows, Vic Braden details the most useful description of throwing a ball. Fallows goes on to summarize the “kinetic chain theory” created by Braden. Proposing Vic Braden’s throwing mechanics is an exceptional form of support for Fallows’ own

Once the ball is fielded, the athlete will jump forward off of their right leg if they a right handed thrower to continue their momentum towards the target. The important parts of this stage are fielding the ball cleanly and continuing all of their momentum forward. These are the two things coaches and players are really looking to accomplish. The momentum will be talked about later in the paper as it is one of the important biomechanical concepts incorporated in this movement. In this stage, the athlete will field the ball with their glove positioned directly under their shoulder with the webbing of the glove on the ground. This is to make sure the ball rolls into the glove and not under it. The athlete is flexed at both the hips, knees and spine to accomplish getting the glove on the ground. With the hips being flexed, this means the athlete’s pelvis will be anteriorly rotated. The right ankle will be dorsiflexed and the left ankle will be plantarflexed so the athlete can continue his momentum forward to get power on his throw. The glove hand wrist is neither flexed or extended but in a neutral position. The fingers of the glove are extended though in order to open up the webbing of the glove and trap the ball inside. The forearm is supinated to allow for the webbing to be opened towards where the ball is coming from. The athlete’s elbow is extended and their shoulder is flexed on

There are many muscle groups at play in the smooth, fluid motion of pitching. Muscles in the shoulder, arm, back, and legs are all required to deliver a pitch. Pectoralis major, Subscapularis, Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor and Latissimus dorsi are all used to generate arm speed and increase pitch velocity (NCBI). However, the kinematic chain requires more than just these muscles to transfer the velocity to the ball. “Most people think pitching is all in the arm, but having a solid base is crucial to commanding pitches,” says Peyton. “Strength and conditioning for my legs and back are a really important part of my training; it helps me get a good foundation.” Legs and core are essential to generating velocity and maintaining stability throughout the pitching motion.

To pitch and throw with a lower risk of hurting your arm, is to use all your body to throw the ball. Starting with your legs and your core, having strong legs and

Along with the throwing arm, one of the largest areas where injuries occur happens to be one of the largest parts of the body, the trunk. Trunk injuries have one of the highest percentages of any injuries in major league baseball. With the help of measurements that can be taken between the pelvis and upper trunk, Exercise Scientists are able to calculate measurements including the maximum trunk rotation and angular acceleration of the trunk. Front foot contact for pitching, and after ball contact for batters is the most demanding instance for the trunk and spine, thus placing more stress on those areas during that time. Although it is impossible to calculate the amount of stress the abdominal muscles repetitively go through during pitching

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint which allows it a flexion and extension motion.

is physical). What caused the arm to throw the baseball? The muscles in the arm

The authors conducted this study to see how and when this ability in humans evolved by studying the mechanics used in throwing. They compared the mechanics of throwing of humans to that of chimpanzees. The authors said that previous studies found that the internal rotator muscles are responsible fort the power of the human throw. The investigators hypothesize that the elastic energy storage is the important source for this power. They also stated that other features of the human shoulder are important in storing this energy and