Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Baseball”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Shoulder proprioception in baseball pitchers.

We examined proprioceptive differences between the dominant and nondominant shoulders of 21 collegiate baseball pitchers without a history of shoulder instability or surgery. A proprioceptive testing device was used to measure kinesthesia and joint position sense. Joint position sense was significantly (P =.05) more accurate in the nondominant shoulder than in the dominant shoulder when starting at 75% of maximal external rotation and moving into internal rotation. There were no significant differences for proprioception in the other measured positions or with kinesthesia testing. Six pitchers with recent shoulder pain had a significant (P =.04) kinesthetic deficit in the symptomatic dominant shoulder compared with the asymptomatic shoulder, as measured in neutral rotation moving into internal rotation. The net effect of training, exercise-induced laxity, and increased external rotation in baseball pitchers does not affect proprioception, although shoulder pain, possibly due to rotator cuff inflammation or tendinitis, is associated with reduced kinesthetic sensation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Persistence of the olecranon physis in baseball players: Results following operative management.

The purpose of this study is to report the results of operative management for pain associated with persistence of the olecranon physis in baseball players. Five maturing adolescent baseball players (4 male and 1 female) with pain associated with persistence of the olecranon physis underwent operative stabilization and autogenous bone grafting with second-stage hardware removal. All 5 patients remained symptomatic after a variable length of conservative management. At a mean follow-up of 32 months (range, 7-84 months), all 5 were satisfied with their results. All returned to or surpassed their previous level of performance. Operative management is recommended for a symptomatic, persistent olecranon physis in the high-demand, skeletally mature overhead athlete in whom conservative management has failed. Operative stabilization with internal fixation and autogenous iliac crest bone grafting results in the resolution of symptoms and a high rate of return to previous throwing performance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Kinematic comparisons of 1996 Olympic baseball pitchers.

The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the kinematics of baseball pitchers who participated in the 1996 XXVI Centennial Olympic Games. Two synchronized video cameras operating at 120 Hz were used to video 48 pitchers from Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Cuba, Italy, Korea, Nicaragua and the USA. All pitchers were analysed while throwing the fastball pitch. Twenty-one kinematic parameters were measured at lead foot contact, during the arm cocking and arm acceleration phases, and at the instant of ball release. These parameters included stride length, foot angle and foot placement; shoulder abduction, shoulder horizontal adduction and shoulder external rotation; knee and elbow flexion; upper torso, shoulder internal rotation and elbow extension angular velocities; forward and lateral trunk tilt; and ball speed. A one-way analysis of variance (P < 0.01) was used to assess kinematic differences. Shoulder horizontal adduction and shoulder external rotation at lead foot contact and ball speed at the instant of ball release were significantly different among countries. The greater shoulder horizontal abduction observed in Cuban pitchers at lead foot contact is thought to be an important factor in the generation of force throughout the arm cocking and arm acceleration phases, and may in part explain why Cuban pitchers generated the greatest ball release speed. We conclude that pitching kinematics are similar among baseball pitchers from different countries.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1995

Expert-novice differences in cognitive and skill execution components of youth baseball performance.

Previous research has shown that experts exhibit superior response selection and skill execution during performance in youth sport. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in cognitive and skill execution components of game performance in young baseball players (N = 159) with varying levels of expertise. Three levels of expertise (low-, average-, and high-skilled players) were identified at each age level (7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age). Game performance was videotaped, and measures of skill execution (throwing accuracy, throwing force, fielding, catching, batting average, and batting contact) and cognitive components (positioning, decisions) were developed from observational analysis. The results indicated that baseball skill execution during game play maximally discriminated expertise levels.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2003

Warm-up with baseball bats of varying moments of inertia: effect on bat velocity and swing pattern.

The purpose of this study was to determine if warm-up with baseball bats of different moments of inertia has an effect on swing pattern and bat velocity. Ten experienced baseball players (ages 20-25 years) voluntarily participated in this study. Each participant was required to complete 10 dry swings (5 warm-up and 5 postwarm-up) at maximum effort within 3 different conditions. Post warm-up was always with a standard bat (I = .27 kgm2; 83.8 cm, 9.1 N). Warm-up for Condition 1 was with the standard bat. Condition 2 required participants to warm up with a standard bat plus a 6.1 N lead donut (I = .49 kgm2, 83.8 cm, 15.6 N). Condition 3 required participants to warm up with a hollow plastic bat (I = .08 kgm2; 83.8 cm, 3.34 N). Quantitative and qualitative analyses indicated that following warm-up with the weighted bat (largest moment of inertia), swing pattern was significantly altered, and post warm-up velocity was the lowest of the three conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Kinematic and kinetic comparisons between American and Korean professional baseball pitchers.

The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare kinematic, temporal, and kinetic characteristics of American and Korean professional pitchers in order to investigate differences in pitching mechanics, performance, and injury risks among two different cultures and populations of baseball pitchers. Eleven American and eight Korean healthy professional baseball pitchers threw multiple fastball pitches off an indoor throwing mound positioned at regulation distance from home plate. A Motion Analysis three-dimensional automatic digitizing system was used to collect 200 Hz video data from four electronically synchronized cameras. Twenty kinematic, six temporal, and 11 kinetic variables were analyzed at lead foot contact, during the arm cocking and arm acceleration phases, at ball release, and during the arm deceleration phase. A radar gun was used to quantify ball velocity. At lead foot contact, the American pitchers had significantly greater horizontal abduction of the throwing shoulder, while Korean pitchers exhibited significantly greater abduction and external rotation of the throwing shoulder. During arm cocking, the American pitchers displayed significantly greater maximum shoulder external rotation and maximum pelvis angular velocity. At the instant of ball release, the American pitchers had significantly greater forward trunk tilt and ball velocity and significantly less knee flexion, which help explain why the American pitchers had 10% greater ball velocity compared to the Korean pitchers. The American pitchers had significantly greater maximum shoulder internal rotation torque and maximum elbow varus torque during arm cocking, significantly greater elbow flexion torque during arm acceleration, and significantly greater shoulder and elbow proximal forces during arm deceleration. While greater shoulder and elbow forces and torques generated in the American pitchers helped generate greater ball velocity for the American group, these greater kinetics may predispose this group to a higher risk of shoulder and elbow injuries.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Glenohumeral joint total rotation range of motion in elite tennis players and baseball pitchers.

UNLABELLED: The amount of glenohumeral joint internal and external rotation used during overhead sport activities has been measured experimentally by sports scientists. Clinical measurement of glenohumeral joint internal and external rotation using goniometry is an integral part of a shoulder evaluation after injury or surgery or during preseason or preventative musculoskeletal screenings. PURPOSE: This study measured glenohumeral joint internal and external rotation in two groups of unilaterally dominant upper extremity athletes to compare the total arc of rotational range of motion between the dominant and nondominant extremities. METHODS: A total of 163 elite athletes (117 male junior tennis players and 46 male baseball pitchers) were measured for glenohumeral joint internal and external rotation at 90 degrees of abduction. Total rotation range of motion was calculated by summing internal and external rotation measures in each extremity. RESULTS: An ANOVA with post hoc testing revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between extremities in baseball pitchers for total rotation range of motion (145.7 vs 146.9), whereas significantly less (P < 0.001) dominant arm total rotation range of motion was identified in the elite junior tennis players (149.1 vs 158.2). CONCLUSION: This study has identified unique glenohumeral joint rotational patterning in unilaterally dominant upper extremity athletes that has ramifications for rehabilitation after injury and for both injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Baseball and softball injuries.

Baseball and softball injuries can be a result of both acute and overuse injuries. Soft tissue injuries include contusions, abrasions, and lacerations. Return to play is allowed when risk of further injury is minimized. Common shoulder injuries include those to the rotator cuff, biceps tendon, and glenoid labrum. Elbow injuries are common in baseball and softball and include medial epicondylitis, ulnar collateral ligament injury, and osteochondritis dissecans. Typically conservative treatment with relative rest, medication, and a rehabilitation program will allow return to play. Surgical intervention may be needed for certain injuries or conservative treatment failure.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed2005

Relationship of biomechanical factors to baseball pitching velocity: within pitcher variation.

To reach the level of elite, most baseball pitchers need to consistently produce high ball velocity but avoid high joint loads at the shoulder and elbow that may lead to injury. This study examined the relationship between fastball velocity and variations in throwing mechanics within 19 baseball pitchers who were analyzed via 3-D high-speed motion analysis. Inclusion in the study required each one to demonstrate a variation in velocity of at least 1.8 m/s (range 1.8-3.5 m/s) during 6 to 10 fastball pitch trials. Three mixed model analyses were performed to assess the independent effects of 7 kinetic, 11 temporal, and 12 kinematic parameters on pitched ball velocity. Results indicated that elbow flexion torque, shoulder proximal force, and elbow proximal force were the only three kinetic parameters significantly associated with increased ball velocity. Two temporal parameters (increased time to max shoulder horizontal adduction and decreased time to max shoulder internal rotation) and three kinematic parameters (decreased shoulder horizontal adduction at foot contact, decreased shoulder abduction during acceleration, and increased trunk tilt forward at release) were significantly related to increased ball velocity. These results point to variations in an individual's throwing mechanics that relate to pitched ball velocity, and also suggest that pitchers should focus on consistent mechanics to produce consistently high fastball velocities. In addition, pitchers should strengthen shoulder and elbow musculature that resist distraction as well as improve trunk strength and flexibility to maximize pitching velocity and help prevent injury.

Acceleration↗
PubMed2006

High school and college baseball pitchers response and glove movements to line drives.

The timing of glove movements used by baseball pitchers to catch fast approaching balls (i.e., line drives) was examined in two tests to determine the responses and temporal characteristics of glove movements in high school and college baseball pitchers. Balls were projected toward the head of participants at 34.8 m.s-1 (78 mph) on average in an indoor test and at speeds approaching 58.1 m.s-1 (130 mph) in a field test. Pitchers caught over 80% and 15% of the projected balls in the indoor and field tests, respectively. Analyses of glove responses indicated that all pitchers could track the line drives and produce coordinated glove movements, which were initiated 160 ms (+/-47.8), on average, after the ball was launched. College pitchers made initial glove movements sooner than high school pitchers in the field test (p=0.012). In contrast, average glove velocity for pitchers increased from 1.33 (+/-0.61) to 3.45 (+/-0.86) m.s-1 across the tests, but did not differ between experience levels. Glove movement initiation and speed were unrelated, and pitchers utilized visual information throughout the ball's flight to catch balls that approached at speeds exceeding the estimated speeds in competitive situations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Acceptability of baseball face guards and reduction of oculofacial injury in receptive youth league players.

GOALS: To assess the relative injury reduction effect and acceptability of face guards on batter's helmets. METHODS: A non-randomized prospective cohort study among 238 youth league baseball teams in Central and Southern Indiana during the 1997 season. Coaches, parents, and players were asked to respond to pre-season and post-season questionnaires. Approximately one half of the teams were supplied with face guard helmets (intervention); all others used this protection at their discretion (comparison). RESULTS: Parents, players, and coaches on the intervention teams reported a reduction in the incidence of oculofacial injuries compared with comparison team respondents (p=0.04). There was no reported adverse effect of face guard use on player performance. CONCLUSIONS: Helmet face guards should be required for batters to prevent facial injuries in baseball.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2006

Control of 3D limb dynamics in unconstrained overarm throws of different speeds performed by skilled baseball players.

This study investigated how the human CNS organizes complex three-dimensional (3D) ball-throwing movements that require both speed and accuracy. Skilled baseball players threw a baseball to a target at three different speeds. Kinematic analysis revealed that the fingertip speed at ball release was mainly produced by trunk leftward rotation, shoulder internal rotation, elbow extension, and wrist flexion in all speed conditions. The study participants adjusted the angular velocities of these four motions to throw the balls at three different speeds. We also analyzed the dynamics of the 3D multijoint movements using a recently developed method called "nonorthogonal torque decomposition" that can clarify how angular acceleration about a joint coordinate axis (e.g., shoulder internal rotation) is generated by the muscle, gravity, and interaction torques. We found that the study participants utilized the interaction torque to generate larger angular velocities of the shoulder internal rotation, elbow extension, and wrist flexion. To increase the interaction torque acting at these joints, the ball throwers increased muscle torque at the shoulder and trunk but not at the elbow and wrist. These results indicates that skilled ball throwers adopted a hierarchical control in which the proximal muscle torques created a dynamic foundation for the entire limb motion and beneficial interaction torques for distal joint rotations.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of extended play on professional baseball pitchers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate kinematic and kinetic changes as a result of extended play in baseball pitching. Seven major league baseball pitchers were videotaped with high-speed (120 Hz) cameras during multiple innings of the same game. For each athlete, two fastballs (one thrown during the initial inning of play and one from the final inning) were chosen for analysis. Twenty-one physical landmarks were manually digitized from the video data. Kinematic and kinetic parameters were subsequently calculated relative to four phases of the pitching motion: windup, cocking, acceleration, and follow-through. Paired t-tests revealed that seven parameters changed significantly between early and late innings. These included decreases in maximum external rotation of the shoulder, knee angle at ball release, ball velocity, maximum distraction force at both the shoulder and elbow, and horizontal adduction torque at both release and its maximum value. Ultimately, a decline in performance was evident by a 2 m/s (5 mph) drop in ball speed. It is unclear whether the kinematic and kinetic changes occurred because of fatigue or if protective mechanisms were adopted.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationships between throwing mechanics and shoulder distraction in professional baseball pitchers.

The extreme forces and torques and the high speeds and excessive ranges of motion of baseball pitching place tremendous stress on the soft tissues of the throwing shoulder. Little is known about the relationship between pitching mechanics and shoulder joint stress, especially in professional athletes. The purpose of this study was to quantify joint loads and kinematic parameters of pitching mechanics at the major league level and to study their relationships. Three-dimensional, high-speed video data were collected on 40 professional pitchers during the 1998 Cactus League spring training. A clinically significant distraction force was calculated at the shoulder joint, which reached an average peak value of 947 +/- 162 N (108% +/- 16% body weight). Descriptive statistics and a multiple linear regression analysis were used to relate shoulder distraction to kinematic and kinetic parameters of pitching mechanics. This study was undertaken not only to investigate the peak forces and torques on the shoulder, but also to identify potential areas of intervention that might prevent throwing injuries. Knowledge of joint ranges of motion, angular velocities, and joint-reaction forces can provide a scientific basis for improved preventive and rehabilitative protocols for baseball pitchers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Disability days in major league baseball.

We have examined the injury experience in Major League Baseball as reflected by the disabled list, based on data presented by American Specialty Companies in their publications, to examine any changes in injury rates over the past 11 years. It is reasonable to expect that improvements in training and conditioning, diagnostic methods, and surgical treatment over the last 11 years would have reduced injuries and resulted in fewer players on the disabled list. Yet, such does not appear to be the case. There is no evidence that the number of injuries in Major League Baseball has declined over the last decade; on the contrary, it appears that both the number of players and player days on the disabled list have increased. Team membership, injury location, and position do not appear to be related to the increase. Nor does it appear that the increase in injuries is a result of more sensitive diagnostic tests allowing the diagnoses of previously unrecognized injuries. Whatever the reason, it is significant that publicly available data, when viewed over an 11-year period, reveal a gradual and consistent increase in reported injuries--suggesting a problem that deserves attention.

Absenteeism↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Retroversion of the humerus in the throwing shoulder of college baseball pitchers.

BACKGROUND: Increased external rotation and decreased internal rotation have been noted to occur progressively in the throwing shoulder of baseball pitchers. HYPOTHESIS: Proximal remodeling of the humerus contributes to the rotational asymmetry between shoulders in pitchers. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive anatomic study. METHODS: Both shoulders of 19 male college baseball pitchers were evaluated and retroversion of the humerus calculated by using the technique of Söderlund et al. Measurements were taken of passive glenohumeral external rotation at 0 degrees and 90 degrees of abduction and internal rotation at 90 degrees of abduction under a 3.5-kg load. Subjects completed a questionnaire on the amount and duration of overhead throwing performed during the ages 8 through 16 years. RESULTS: All of the subjects had greater external rotation at 0 degrees and 90 degrees of abduction, decreased internal rotation at 90 degrees of abduction, and greater retroversion of the humerus in their dominant compared with nondominant shoulders. A significant difference was found between dominant and nondominant external rotation at 0 degrees and 90 degrees of abduction, internal rotation at 90 degrees of abduction, and retroversion of the humerus. In the dominant arm, there was a significant correlation between retroversion of the humerus and external rotation at 0 degrees and 90 degrees of abduction. There was also a significant correlation between the side-to-side difference in retroversion of the humerus compared with the side-to-side difference in external rotation at 90 degrees of abduction. CONCLUSIONS: Rotational changes in the throwing shoulder are due to bony as well as soft tissue adaptations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Rotational motion changes in the glenohumeral joint of the adolescent/Little League baseball player.

BACKGROUND: Differences in range of motion and rotational motion between the dominant and nondominant shoulders in throwing athletes are well documented, although the age at which these changes begin to occur is not known. HYPOTHESIS: Changes in glenohumeral rotational motion in the shoulder of the Little League/adolescent baseball player occur during the most formative years of physical development. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Elevation, internal rotation at 90 degrees of abduction, and external rotation at 90 degrees of abduction were measured in the dominant and nondominant shoulders of 294 baseball players, aged 8 to 16 years. RESULTS: Analysis of variance revealed 2-way interactions between arm dominance by age for elevation (P = .005) and internal rotation (P = .001). Significant differences were noted between dominant and nondominant arms for internal rotation at 90 degrees (P = .001) and external rotation at 90 degrees (P = .001). Elevation, internal rotation at 90 degrees , external rotation at 90 degrees , and total range of motion varied significantly (P = .001) among age groups. Elevation in the dominant arms of 16-year-olds was on average 5.3 degrees less than in 8-year-olds (179.6 degrees vs 174.3 degrees ). In the nondominant arms, mean elevation for 16-year-olds was 5.6 degrees less than in 8-year-olds (179.7 degrees vs 174.1 degrees ). Internal rotation at 90 degrees for the dominant arms averaged 39.0 degrees at age 8 and only 21.3 degrees at age 16. In the non-dominant arms, internal rotation for 8-year-olds averaged 42.2 degrees and only 33.1 degrees for 16-year-olds. CONCLUSIONS: Elevation and total range of motion decreased as age increased. These changes may be consequences of both bone and soft tissue adaptation. The most dramatic decline in total range of motion was seen between the 13-year-olds and 14-year-olds, in the year before peak incidence of Little Leaguer's shoulder. This decrease in rotational motion may cause increased stress at the physis during throwing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Osteochondral autograft transplantation for osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow in juvenile baseball players: minimum 2-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondral autografts have recently become popular to treat articular cartilage defects, and they are used for unstable osteochondritis dissecans lesions as a means of biological fixation. PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of osteochondral autograft transfer for osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Osteochondral autograft transfer was performed on 18 baseball players (mean age, 13.6 years) with osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow. These included 9 lesions that were grade 3 (separated but in situ) and 9 lesions that were grade 4 (displaced fragment with osteochondral defect) based on magnetic resonance imaging. All patients were evaluated with a scoring system, radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging, with the mean follow-up at 3.5 years. RESULTS: In patients with grade 3 lesions, the subjective score was increased, but the objective score did not change. Six of 9 patients returned to their previous sports performance levels. One quit baseball because of academic reasons, 1 changed his position, and 1 changed to softball. In patients with grade 4 lesions, both subjective and objective scores were increased significantly. All but 1 patient returned to their previous sports performance levels. In the 3 grade 4 lesions with a wide osteochondral defect, the irregularity of the articular surface remained on magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSION: Osteochondral autograft transplantation is a useful treatment for reattachment of the lesion as well as osteochondral resurfacing of elbow osteochondritis dissecans.

Adolescent↗