THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRIDE MECHANICS AND SHOULDER DISTRACTION FORCE IN COLLEGIATE SOFTBALL PITCHERS

Authors

Gretchen D. Oliver, Auburn UniversityFollow
Nicole M. Bordelon, Auburn UniversityFollow
Yuki Yanagita, Auburn UniversityFollow

Category

Athletics

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between stride mechanics and shoulder distraction force in softball pitchers. Sixty-three collegiate softball pitchers (age: 20.1 ± 1.3 yrs, height: 173.3 ± 7.4 cm, weight: 79.7 ± 11.7 kg) participated and threw three maximal effort fastballs for a strike. Kinematic data were collected using an electromagnetic tracking system with a sampling frequency of 100 Hz. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between stride length and shoulder distraction force [R² = .11; F (1, 61) = 7.345, p = .009], where stride length accounted for 11% of the variation in shoulder distraction force. Specifically, shoulder distraction force increased by .94 N/kg for every 10% increase in stride length normalized as a percentage of body height.

Recommended Citation

Oliver, Gretchen D.; Bordelon, Nicole M.; and Yanagita, Yuki (2023) "THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRIDE MECHANICS AND SHOULDER DISTRACTION FORCE IN COLLEGIATE SOFTBALL PITCHERS," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 41: Iss. 1, Article 86.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol41/iss1/86