THE RELATIONSHIP OF RANGE OF MOTION, HIP SHOULDER SEPARATION, AND PITCHING KINEMATICS

Overview

Journal Int J Sports Phys Ther

Specialty Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2020 Dec 21

PMID 33344029

Citations 3

Authors

Garrett S Bullock

Jeff Strahm

Tessa C Hulburt

Edward C Beck

Brian R Waterman

Kristen F Nicholson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: When pitching a baseball, pelvic and trunk pitching kinematics play an integral role in momentum transfer from the lower extremity to the upper extremity. However, it is unknown how hip and trunk ROM and hip shoulder separation interplay with pelvic and trunk pitching kinematics.

Hypothesis/purpose: To determine the relationship between clinical trunk and hip range of motion (ROM) and pitching biomechanical pelvis and trunk kinematics, and kinematic sequencing.

Study Design: Controlled biomechanical study.

Methods: High school pitchers were assessed for trunk rotation via motion capture and hip ROM via a goniometer prior to pitching. Trunk rotation was designated as dominant and non-dominant sides, and hips as stance and lead limbs. Pitchers threw four fastballs during three dimensional biomechanical assessment. Spearman's Rho correlations were performed between trunk and hip ROM, and trunk and hip biomechanical kinematics, and kinematic pitching sequence.

Results: Thirty-two pitchers (mean age: 16.3 ± 1.2 years, height = 184.0 ± 6.9 cm, mass = 76.8 ± 20.8 kg) were included in this study. Their mean pitch velocity was 34.7 ± 2.3 m/s, peak pelvis rotation velocity: 669.1 ± 95.5 deg/s, and peak trunk rotation velocity: 1084.7 ± 93.0 deg/s. There were no differences between dominant and non-dominant side trunk rotation, or between stance and lead hip ROM. There were no significant relationships between trunk or hip ROM and pitching kinematics. There was a significant relationship between hip shoulder separation and peak trunk rotation velocity (r = 0.390, p=0.027). There was a significant relationship between pitch velocity and peak trunk rotation velocity (r = 0.478, p = 0.006). There were no other significant relationships between pitching kinematics or kinematic sequencing.

Conclusion: Hip shoulder separation is related to trunk rotation velocity, and ultimately pitch velocity. These ROM measurements can be used as normative values for hip shoulder separation in high school pitchers.

Level Of Evidence: 3.

Citing Articles

The association among ball speed and the rotation of pivot leg, pelvis, and trunk separation in collegiate baseball pitchers.

Wada N, Otsuka M, Yamaguchi Y, Tsuji T, Kojo T, Kono T Heliyon. 2025; 11(3):e42314.

PMID: 39975838 PMC: 11835564. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42314.

The Management of Valgus Extension Overload Syndrome Experienced with Hitting in a High School Baseball Player: A Case Report.

Piraino A, Davis B Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2022; 17(6):1156-1169.

PMID: 36237658 PMC: 9528722. DOI: 10.26603/001c.38168.

Biomechanical Analysis of the Throwing Athlete and Its Impact on Return to Sport.

Trasolini N, Nicholson K, Mylott J, Bullock G, Hulburt T, Waterman B Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil. 2022; 4(1):e83-e91.

PMID: 35141540 PMC: 8811517. DOI: 10.1016/j.asmr.2021.09.027.

Evidence Based Arm Care: The Throwers 10 Revisited.

Mullaney M, Nicholas S, Tyler T, Fukunaga T, McHugh M Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021; 16(6):1379-1386.

PMID: 34909245 PMC: 8637269. DOI: 10.26603/001c.29900.

References

Huang Y, Wu T, Learman K, Tsai Y . A comparison of throwing kinematics between youth baseball players with and without a history of medial elbow pain. Chin J Physiol. 2011; 53(3):160-6. DOI: 10.4077/cjp.2010.amk026. View

Young J, Herring S, Press J, Casazza B . The influence of the spine on the shoulder in the throwing athlete. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2014; 7(1):5-17. DOI: 10.3233/BMR-1996-7103. View

Fleisig G, Barrentine S, ESCAMILLA R, Andrews J . Biomechanics of overhand throwing with implications for injuries. Sports Med. 1996; 21(6):421-37. DOI: 10.2165/00007256-199621060-00004. View

Bierma-Zeinstra S, Bohnen A, Ramlal R, Ridderikhoff J, Verhaar J, Prins A . Comparison between two devices for measuring hip joint motions. Clin Rehabil. 1998; 12(6):497-505. DOI: 10.1191/026921598677459668. View

Bullock G, Schmitt A, Chasse P, Little B, Diehl L, Butler R . The Relationship Between Trunk Rotation, Upper Quarter Dynamic Stability, and Pitch Velocity. J Strength Cond Res. 2017; 32(1):261-266. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001772. View

Hootman J, Dick R, Agel J . Epidemiology of collegiate injuries for 15 sports: summary and recommendations for injury prevention initiatives. J Athl Train. 2007; 42(2):311-9. PMC: 1941297. View

Aguinaldo A, Buttermore J, Chambers H . Effects of upper trunk rotation on shoulder joint torque among baseball pitchers of various levels. J Appl Biomech. 2007; 23(1):42-51. DOI: 10.1123/jab.23.1.42. View

Erickson B, Sgori T, Chalmers P, Vignona P, Lesniak M, Bush-Joseph C . The Impact of Fatigue on Baseball Pitching Mechanics in Adolescent Male Pitchers. Arthroscopy. 2016; 32(5):762-71. DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2015.11.051. View

Robb A, Fleisig G, Wilk K, Macrina L, Bolt B, Pajaczkowski J . Passive ranges of motion of the hips and their relationship with pitching biomechanics and ball velocity in professional baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2010; 38(12):2487-93. DOI: 10.1177/0363546510375535. View

10.

Scher S, Anderson K, Weber N, Bajorek J, Rand K, Bey M . Associations among hip and shoulder range of motion and shoulder injury in professional baseball players. J Athl Train. 2010; 45(2):191-7. PMC: 2838471. DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-45.2.191. View

11.

Shanley E, Kissenberth M, Thigpen C, Bailey L, Hawkins R, Michener L . Preseason shoulder range of motion screening as a predictor of injury among youth and adolescent baseball pitchers. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2015; 24(7):1005-13. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2015.03.012. View

12.

Johnson K, Kim K, Yu B, Saliba S, Grindstaff T . Reliability of thoracic spine rotation range-of-motion measurements in healthy adults. J Athl Train. 2012; 47(1):52-60. PMC: 3418115. DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-47.1.52. View

13.

Prather H, Harris-Hayes M, Hunt D, Steger-May K, Mathew V, Clohisy J . Reliability and agreement of hip range of motion and provocative physical examination tests in asymptomatic volunteers. PM R. 2010; 2(10):888-95. PMC: 3438506. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.05.005. View

14.

Fleisig G, Hsu W, Fortenbaugh D, Cordover A, Press J . Trunk axial rotation in baseball pitching and batting. Sports Biomech. 2014; 12(4):324-33. DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2013.838693. View

15.

Fortenbaugh D, Fleisig G, Andrews J . Baseball pitching biomechanics in relation to injury risk and performance. Sports Health. 2012; 1(4):314-20. PMC: 3445126. DOI: 10.1177/1941738109338546. View

16.

Putnam C . Sequential motions of body segments in striking and throwing skills: descriptions and explanations. J Biomech. 1993; 26 Suppl 1:125-35. DOI: 10.1016/0021-9290(93)90084-r. View

17.

Wu G, van der Helm F, Veeger H, Makhsous M, Van Roy P, Anglin C . ISB recommendation on definitions of joint coordinate systems of various joints for the reporting of human joint motion--Part II: shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. J Biomech. 2005; 38(5):981-992. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.05.042. View

18.

Fleisig G, Andrews J, Dillman C, ESCAMILLA R . Kinetics of baseball pitching with implications about injury mechanisms. Am J Sports Med. 1995; 23(2):233-9. DOI: 10.1177/036354659502300218. View

19.

Anz A, Bushnell B, Griffin L, Noonan T, Torry M, Hawkins R . Correlation of torque and elbow injury in professional baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2010; 38(7):1368-74. DOI: 10.1177/0363546510363402. View

20.

Nussbaumer S, Leunig M, Glatthorn J, Stauffacher S, Gerber H, Maffiuletti N . Validity and test-retest reliability of manual goniometers for measuring passive hip range of motion in femoroacetabular impingement patients. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010; 11:194. PMC: 2942800. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-11-194. View