KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE WRIST AND FOREARM DURING BASEBALL PITCHING

Previous researchers studying baseball pitching have compared kinemati c and kinetic parameters among different types of pitches, focusing on the trunk, shoulder, and elbow. The lack of data on the wrist and for earm limits the understanding of clinicians, coaches, and researchers regarding the mechanics of baseball pitching and the differences among types of pitches. The purpose of this study was to expand existing kn owledge of baseball pitching by quantifying and comparing kinematic da ta of the wrist and forearm for the fastball (TA), curveball (CU) and change-up (CH) pitches. Kinematic and temporal parameters were determi ned from 8 collegiate pitchers recorded with a four-camera system (200 Hz). Although significant differences were observed for all pitch com parisons, the least number of differences occurred between the FB and CH. During arm cocking, peak wrist extension for the FA and CH pitches was greater than for the CU, while forearm supination was greater for the CU. In contrast to the current study, previous comparisons of kin ematic data for trunk, shoulder, and elbow revealed similarities betwe en the EA and CU pitches and differences between the FA and CH pitches . Kinematic differences among pitches depend on the segment of the bod y studied.