KINEMATIC AND KINETIC COMPARISON BETWEEN BASEBALL PITCHING AND FOOTBALL PASSING

Kinematic and kinetic aspects of baseball pitching and football passin g were compared. Twenty-six high school and collegiate pitchers and 26 high school and collegiate quarterbacks were analyzed using three-dim ensional high-speed motion analysis. Although maximum shoulder externa l rotation occurred earlier for quarterbacks, maximum angular velocity of pelvis rotation, upper torso rotation, elbow extension, and should er internal rotation occurred earlier and achieved greater magnitude f or pitchers. Quarterbacks had shorter strides and stood more erect at ball release. During arm cocking, quarterbacks demonstrated greater el bow flexion and shoulder horizontal adduction. To decelerate the arm, pitchers generated greater compressive force at the elbow and greater compressive force and adduction torque at the shoulder. These results may help explain differences in performance and injury rates between t he two sports.