RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE IN YOUTH BASEBALL PITCHERS

Background Joint pain is thought to be an early sign of injury to a pitcher. Objective To evaluate the association between pitch counts, pitch types, and pitching mechanics and shoulder and elbow pain in young pitchers. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Four hundred and seventy-six young (ages 9 to 14 years) baseball pitchers were followed for one season. Data were collected from pre- and postseason questionnaires, injury and performance interviews after each game, pitch count logs, and video analysis of pitching mechanics. Generalized estimating equations and logistic regression analysis were used. Results Half of the subjects experienced elbow or shoulder pain during the season. The curveball was associated with a 52% increased risk of shoulder pain and the slider was associated with an 86% increased risk of elbow pain. There was a significant association between the number of pitches thrown in a game and during the season and the rate of elbow pain and shoulder pain. Conclusions Pitchers in this age group should be cautioned about throwing breaking pitches (curveballs and sliders) because of the increased risk of elbow and shoulder pain. Limitations on pitches thrown in a game and in a season can also reduce the risk of pain. Further evaluation of pain and pitching mechanics is necessary.

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Limiting the Pitch Count in Youth Baseball Pitchers Decreases Elbow Pain

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967121989108 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 232596712198910

Author(s):

Tetsuya Matsuura ◽

Yuki Takata ◽

Toshiyuki Iwame ◽

Jyoji Iwase ◽

Kenji Yokoyama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Stress Test ◽

Daily Maximum ◽

Test Results ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Valgus Stress ◽

Radiographic Images ◽

Elbow Pain ◽

Youth Baseball ◽

Baseball Pitchers

Background: Reducing the number of pitches thrown is regarded as the most effective way to prevent throwing injuries in youth baseball pitchers. However, few studies have compared the effectiveness of limiting the pitch count versus the limiting the number of innings pitched in terms of elbow injuries. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that, compared with inning limits, pitch count limits would lead to greater decreases in elbow pain, range of motion deficits, positive moving valgus stress test results, and the risk of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed baseball pitchers aged 8 to 12 years in 2017 and 2018. Inning and pitch count limits in games were set to a daily maximum of 7 innings in 2017 and 70 pitches in 2018. Elbow pain, range of motion, and moving valgus stress test results were evaluated. The presence of capitellar OCD was assessed on ultrasonographic and radiographic images. Results: A total of 352 pitchers in 2017 and 367 pitchers in 2018 participated. The mean pitch count per game was lower in the pitch count limit (CL) group (52.5 ± 16.0) than in the inning limit (IL) group (98.2 ± 19.5) ( P < .001). Compared with the IL group, the CL group had significantly lower rates of elbow pain (40.9% vs 31.9%, respectively; P = .01) and reduced flexion (19.0% vs 10.6%, respectively; P = .001). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between elbow pain and age in both the IL and the CL groups ( P < .0001 and P = .02, respectively) and between OCD and elbow pain in the CL group ( P = .04). Conclusion: A pitch count limit of ≤70 pitches per day for baseball pitchers ≤12 years could be more protective against elbow pain and reduced flexion than a limit of ≤7 innings per day, but it may not be effective for reducing the risk of capitellar OCD.

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Asymmetry and evolution over a one-year period of the upward rotation of the scapula in youth baseball pitchers

International Biomechanics ◽

10.1080/23335432.2018.1499441 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Erik van der Graaff ◽

Bengt Kom ◽

Femke van Dis ◽

Xavier Gasparutto ◽

Marco Hoozemans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Youth Baseball ◽

Baseball Pitchers ◽

One Year

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Pitching Practices and Self-Reported Injuries Among Youth Baseball Pitchers: A Descriptive Study

Athletic Training & Sports Health Care ◽

10.3928/19425864-20110331-01 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 11-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Johna K. Register-Mihalik ◽

Sakiko Oyama ◽

Stephen W. Marshall ◽

Frederick O. Mueller

Keyword(s):

Descriptive Study ◽

Youth Baseball ◽

Baseball Pitchers

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Gluteus Medius and Scapula Muscle Activations in Youth Baseball Pitchers

The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research ◽

10.1519/jsc.0000000000000797 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 1494-1499 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Gretchen D. Oliver ◽

Wendi H. Weimar ◽

Hillary A. Plummer

Keyword(s):

Gluteus Medius ◽

Youth Baseball ◽

Baseball Pitchers ◽

Muscle Activations

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Manifestations of muscle fatigue in baseball pitchers: a systematic review

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.7390 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. e7390 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Richard Birfer ◽

Michael WL Sonne ◽

Michael WR Holmes

Keyword(s):

Injury Risk ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Peripheral Fatigue ◽

Future Research ◽

Cochrane Database ◽

Rest Time ◽

Baseball Pitchers ◽

And Performance ◽

Conference Papers ◽

The Relationship

Background Fatigue in baseball pitchers is a process linked to lowered physical and mental performance, injury, and changes in kinematics. Numerous studies have associated fatigue with overuse, high ball velocities, lack of rest time, poor mechanics, and degree of self-satisfaction. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to identify a theoretical framework for the relationship between outcomes and the manifestation of fatigue on baseball pitching. The synthesized data may identify areas requiring further research. Methodology This protocol was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42018114194). SPORTDiscus, Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar were searched, using keywords such as fatigue in pitchers and changes in kinematics (e.g., pitching mechanics, valgus elbow torque), performance (e.g., pitch count, pitch type), and injury (e.g., pain, elbow, and shoulder soreness). Three reviewers independently screened the articles, selected relevant literature based on abstract eligibility, and assessed the methods described therein for final inclusion. Results A total of 31,860 articles were screened for eligibility and 25 articles were included for the review. The selected articles included epidemiological, longitudinal, experimental, conference papers, and crossover laboratory studies. Evidence extracted from the 25 studies demonstrates a relationship between fatigue in baseball pitching, and three overarching outcomes: changes in kinematics, a decrease in performance, and an increase in injury risk. Conclusions Findings show that a co-dependence between changes in kinematics and a decrease in performance, which stems from central and peripheral fatigue, is a contributing factor of injury in baseball pitchers. A large percentage of baseball pitchers exhibit pain or soreness in either their elbow or shoulder, or both at some point in a season. Initially, kinematic changes occur that could maintain performance, but may increase joint and tissue loading. Performance decreased with elevated pitch counts and innings thrown, and pitching further into games or the season. Evidence was found to be consistent across all studies; however, more work is needed in the area of fatigue as an injury mechanism during pitching. With a proof of concept established, the prevention of negative outcomes associated with fatigue must be the focus of future research and performance should not be the only criteria.

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Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Medial Epicondyle Fractures After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Professional Baseball Pitchers

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967119s00369 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (7_suppl5) ◽

pp. 2325967119S0036

Author(s):

Brandon J. Erickson ◽

Peter Nissen Chalmers ◽

John D’Angelo ◽

Kevin Ma ◽

Anthony A. Romeo

Keyword(s):

Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽

Open Reduction Internal Fixation ◽

Medial Epicondyle ◽

Professional Baseball ◽

Performance Outcome ◽

Performance Variables ◽

History Of ◽

Operative Performance ◽

Baseball Pitchers ◽

And Performance

Objectives: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) is a common procedure among professional baseball pitchers. Currently, 25% of starting Major league baseball (MLB) pitchers have undergone UCLR. Fracture of the medial epicondyle at the level of the humeral tunnel requiring open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) is an uncommon complication following UCLR. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of return to sport (RTS) and performance upon RTS in professional baseball pitchers following ORIF of the medial epicondyle, and see if there is a difference in RTS rate and performance between players who underwent ORIF and matched controls. The authors hypothesized that there is a high rate of RTS in professional baseball pitchers following medial epicondyle ORIF with no significant difference in rate of RTS or performance, specifically related to the primary outcome performance variables of win-loss percentage (W-L%), WHIP ((walks +hits)/innings pitched), fielding independent pitching (FIP), and wins above replacement (WAR)) between cases and controls. Methods: All professional baseball pitchers who underwent medial epicondyle ORIF between 2010-2016 were included. Demographic and performance data (pre and post surgery) for each player was recorded. Performance metrics were then compared between cases and matched controls (no history of UCLR or ORIF). Results: Overall, 15 pitchers (80% starters, 73.3% right-handed) underwent ORIF of a medial epicondyle fracture. All underwent a prior UCLR using either the American Sports Medicine Institute (n=9, 60%) or docking (n=6, 40%) technique. ORIF techniques included fixation with one screw (n=13, 86.7%) and fixation with suture anchors (n=2, 13.3%). Eleven (73.3%) pitchers were able to RTS (which did not differ from controls p=0.537). No significant differences existed in the primary performance outcome variables when comparing pre-operative to post-operative performance. No significant differences in the primary performance outcome measures were seen between cases and controls following surgery although cases pitched fewer innings than controls following surgery (p=0.003) Conclusion: Following medial epicondyle ORIF of professional pitchers with a history of UCLR, 73.3% were able to RTS without a significant decline in most performance variables when compared to their pre-operative performance levels, or when compared to matched controls. Number of innings pitched declined following surgery.

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Relationship of Glove Arm Kinematics With Established Pitching Kinematic and Kinetic Variables Among Youth Baseball Pitchers

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967118784937 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (7) ◽

pp. 232596711878493 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jeff W. Barfield ◽

Adam W. Anz ◽

James R. Andrews ◽

Gretchen D. Oliver

Keyword(s):

Arm Kinematics ◽

Youth Baseball ◽

Baseball Pitchers ◽

Relationship Of

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Trunk Muscle Function Deficit in Youth Baseball Pitchers With Excessive Contralateral Trunk Tilt During Pitching

Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine ◽

10.1097/jsm.0000000000000396 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (5) ◽

pp. 475-480 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sakiko Oyama ◽

Andrew G. Waldhelm ◽

Araceli R. Sosa ◽

Ravina R. Patel ◽

Derick L. Kalinowski

Keyword(s):

Muscle Function ◽

Trunk Muscle ◽

Youth Baseball ◽

Baseball Pitchers ◽

Trunk Tilt

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Analýza úrovne silových schopností synchronizovaných plavkýň

Studia sportiva ◽

10.5817/sts2010-1-6 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 43-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jana Labudová ◽

Ivan Matúš

Keyword(s):

Performance Measurement ◽

Normal Population ◽

Age Groups ◽

Physical Development ◽

Maximum Strength ◽

Upper Limbs ◽

Strength Parameters ◽

Measurement Results ◽

And Performance ◽

Two Age Groups

This paper presents the results of the diagnostic strength capabilities of the upper limbs synchronized swimmer competing in two age groups. Th e level of physical development considered by BMI standards of normal population refl ects the requirements of sports in this aesthetic-coordination sport. We have used swimming ergometer (swimergo) to determine the level of strength and performance. Measurement results show a balanced level of strength parameters in the group. Statistically signifi cant relationship between maximum strength and performance of right and left arms, and dominance is refl ected in all members in right arm. Statistically signifi cant diff erences in results between the groups pointed to tendencies of growth strength and performance during arms stroke of the older female pupils to juniors and seniors.

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