1. Softball Pitching Biomechanics

2. Video

12. Sports Medicine Nightmare

13. Year-round seasons
Multiple teams/sports
Long practices (6-8 hours Sat & Sun)
Lots of reps
Lots of overuse injuries at all positions
Underserved population

14. Overhand Throwing

18. Windmill Pitching

19. 2 million 12-18 year old girls played fast pitch softball in the U. S
2 million year old girls played fast pitch softball in the U.S. in 2003
60 ft bases and 200 ft fences
Flat “mound” with ft pitching distance
Pitchers can throw > 6 games in a weekend tournament
Pitch counts > 500 documented in 3-day span

20. Injury Literature
50% of pitchers at 1989 College World Series had a time-loss injury
80% of injuries were to the upper extremity
Stress fractures, radial neuropathy, biceps/labrum complex and rotator cuff pathology
Loosli et al, AJSM, 1992

21. Injury Literature
1995 NATA Injury Surveillance on HS baseball/softball players
Percentage of injuries requiring surgery were equal in football and softball players
Percentage of baseball players requiring surgery was less
Powell et al, JAT, 1999

22. Injury Literature
73% of collegiate pitchers surveyed were injured during the season
Web-based survey of 181 Division I, II and III pitchers
131 injuries were reported (36 acute & 92 chronic/overuse)
80/131 were directly pitching related (33 shoulder &16 low back)
Hill et al, JSCR, 2004

23. Injury Literature
33% of injuries to the upper extremity according to the NCAA Injury Surveillance System from
Ankle sprains, knee internal derangements, sliding injuries and overuse shoulder and low back injuries were most common
Preseason practice injuries 2X that of in-season and 1.6 X more injuries in games that practice
Marshall et al, JAT, 2007

24. Injury Literature
14 youth (14-18 yrs) windmill pitchers evaluated for strength and fatigue changes across 2- and 3-day tournaments
Pitchers asked for VAS (1-10) for shoulder fatigue and pain at the beginning and end of each tournament day
Shoulder abduction, flexion, ER, IR and elbow flexion and extension strength measurements taken
Significant increases in VAS for fatigue and pain over the course of a day and the tournament
Significant strength loss in all motions tested over the course of a day and the tournament
Skillington et al, AJSM, 2017

25. Biomechanics Literature
Very few published studies on kinematics and kinetics in windmill pitching
8 college pitchers
70-98%BW distraction at elbow and shoulder joints
Concluded that biceps/labrum complex at risk
Barrentine et al, JOSPT, 1998

26. EMG

27. Ranges of Motion Angle Throwing Non-Throwing Shoulder ER 128 ± 16º
122 ± 20º *
Shoulder IR
54 ± 13º
58 ± 13º *
Elbow Extension
-2 ± 7º
Carrying Angle
11 ± 4º
10 ± 4º
* p ≤ 0.05

28. Time Level TOB – SFC SFC – REL (msec) Youth 43 ± 19 119 ± 17 Olympic
50 ± 16
102 ± 15

29. Kinematics Stride length: 89/62 %hgt Upper trunk : 779/877°/sec
Lower trunk : 616/519°/sec
Elbow flex : 1194/702°/sec
Windmilling : 2190/1237°/s
Ball speed: 60/54 mph

30. Kinetics Elbow Distraction Force ~ 61/44 %BW Elbow Valgus Torque
~ 159/58 Nm
Elbow Extension Torque
~ 104/75 Nm
Shoulder Distraction Force
~ 80/89 %BW

31. Braking GRF
115 ± 46%BW

33. Braking GRF
115 ± 46%BW
Vertical GRF
139 ± 43%BW

35. Summary REST and RECOVERY Underserved, overworked, often injured
Loads are high
Time is short
Train accordingly
REST and RECOVERY

36. Thanks!

37. PRACTICAL APPLICATION

38. Reducing Stress on the Shoulder Hip Angle at Release Follow through (short arm)

39. 4 Keys to Pitching Speed Ball Spin Arm Speed Explosive Leg Drive Resistance on Front Side

44. Softball Pitch Counts
10U: 60 pitches in a workout/game and 1 day rest after
12U: 70 pitches in a workout/game and 1 day rest after
14U: 80 pitches in a workout/game and 1 day rest after
16U: 90 pitches in a workout/game and 1 day rest after
18U: 100 pitches in a workout/game and 1 day rest after

45. Instructional DVDs

48. Thanks!