Ball flight kinematics, release variability and in-season performance in elite baseball pitching
| Autor: | Grant C. Goulet, Ronald F. Zernicke, Jessica M. Deneweth, David Whiteside, Ryan S. McGinnis |
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| Rok vydání: | 2015 |
| Předmět: |
030222 orthopedics
business.product_category Acoustics Spin rate Biomechanics Physical Therapy Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation 030229 sport sciences Spin axis Aerodynamics Kinematics 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Radar gun Slider Ball (bearing) Orthopedics and Sports Medicine business Mathematics |
| Zdroj: | Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. 26:256-265 |
| ISSN: | 0905-7188 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/sms.12443 |
| Popis: | The purpose of this study was to quantify ball flight kinematics (ball speed, spin rate, spin axis orientation, seam orientation) and release location variability in the four most common pitch types in baseball and relate them to in-season pitching performance. Nine NCAA Division I pitchers threw four pitching variations (fastball, changeup, curveball, and slider) while a radar gun measured ball speed and a 600-Hz video camera recorded the ball trajectory. Marks on the ball were digitized to measure ball flight kinematics and release location. Ball speed was highest in the fastball, though spin rate was similar in the fastball and breaking pitches. Two distinct spin axis orientations were noted: one characterizing the fastball and changeup, and another, the curveball and slider. The horizontal release location was significantly more variable than the vertical release location. In-season pitching success was not correlated to any of the measured variables. These findings are instructive for inferring appropriate hand mechanics and spin types in each of the four pitches. Coaches should also be aware that ball flight kinematics might not directly relate to pitching success at the collegiate level. Therefore, talent identification and pitching evaluations should encompass other (e.g., cognitive, psychological, and physiological) factors. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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