Exploration of the Relationship Between Hip Range of Motion and Elbow Torque in College Baseball Pitchers
| dc.contributor.advisor | Karduna, Andy | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Spitzley, Kate | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | McNeely, Ian | |
| dc.contributor.author | Rogers, Erica | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2022-07-12T20:36:52Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2022-07-12T20:36:52Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2022 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Excessive elbow torque can cause injury to baseball pitchers’ ulnar collateral ligament and require Tommy John Surgery. Due to the lengthy recovery process and decline in post-surgery pitching performance, research is needed to identify risk factors and ways to avoid this injury. The purpose of this study was to determine how differences in hip range of motion measurements between collegiate baseball pitchers related to the relationship between their pitching velocity and elbow torque. Pitching is a result of the kinetic chain transferring energy through the body, starting at the legs through the hand to throw the ball. When this kinetic chain does not work in unison to generate the force needed, part of the sequence in the chain will need to compensate for the lost energy. Having differences in modifiable physical factors, like hip range of motion, that can cause limitations within this kinetic chain could put the player at risk for injury. Therefore, it was hypothesized that pitchers that have a weak relationship between their pitching velocity and elbow torque will have greater hip range of motion. 96 subjects from several Division 1 college baseball teams participated in the study. Ball velocity and elbow torque were measured along with hip range of motion. Two groups were formed based on the individual pitchers’ strength of relationship between ball velocity and elbow torque during pitching. These group’s mean hip range of motion values were then compared. The results suggest that the group with a strong positive relationship between ball velocity and elbow torque had significantly limited hip range of motion compared to the group with a weak relationship. This study may be useful in guidance for baseball pitchers seeking to introduce a training regimen to reduce their risk of ulnar collateral ligament injury. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.orcid | 0000-0002-0285-7708 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1794/27406 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | |
| dc.publisher | University of Oregon | |
| dc.rights | CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | |
| dc.subject | Biomechanics | en_US |
| dc.subject | Baseball Pitching | en_US |
| dc.subject | Elbow Torque | en_US |
| dc.subject | Hip Range of Motion | en_US |
| dc.subject | Injury Prevention | en_US |
| dc.title | Exploration of the Relationship Between Hip Range of Motion and Elbow Torque in College Baseball Pitchers | |
| dc.type | Thesis/Dissertation |