The effects of the pitcher-ground interaction on fastball pitching velocity

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorKwon, Young-Hoo
dc.contributor.committeeMemberEllina Grigorieva
dc.contributor.committeeMemberDavid Nichols
dc.contributor.committeeMemberGretchen Oliver
dc.creatorTuttle, Noelle
dc.date.accessioned2024-02-08T20:34:54Z
dc.date.available2024-02-08T20:34:54Z
dc.date.created2023-12
dc.date.issuedDec-23
dc.date.submittedDec-23
dc.date.updated2024-02-08T20:34:54Z
dc.description.abstractBaseball is one of the most popular sports worldwide and participation continues to rise, including the number of pitchers per team. Previous studies have investigated the relationship between ground reaction forces (GRF) and pitch velocity; however, no study has fully defined the pitcher-ground interaction as it relates to fastball pitch velocity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the pitcher-ground interaction variables and normalized linear wrist velocity (NLWV), an indirect indicator of pitch velocity, in experienced baseball pitchers. Fifteen male baseball pitchers (4 left-handed; age = 20.9 ± 5.2 years; height = 177.2 ± 7.6 cm; mass = 80.0 ± 10.8 kg; experience = 5.6 ± 5.2 years) were recruited for participation. All participants were able to throw at least 10 full-effort fastballs and had consistent pitching mechanics. This study utilized a 10-camera motion capture system and a custom pitching mound with three imbedded force plates. Pitchers were asked to throw 10 successful fastballs at top velocity to a target. Variables measured were maximum NLWV, GRF for the drive, stride, and combined feet in the up/down (U/D), towards/away (T/A), and left/right (L/R) directions, and pitcher-ground interaction moments [ground reaction force moment (GRFM) and total external moment] for the drive, stride, and combined feet about the U/D, T/A, and L/R axes. It was determined that maximum GRF of the drive foot in the towards direction, and the stride foot and combined feet in the up and away directions were significantly (p < .05) and strongly correlated with NLWV. Additionally, maximum GRFM and total external moment of the drive foot about the L/R axis, and total external moment of the combined feet about the T/A axis during the first peak were significantly and strongly correlated with NLWV. Based on these findings, the drive foot is responsible for creating large external moments, while the primary role of the stride foot is to generate large external forces prior to ball release, which are associated with increased NLWV. Therefore, pitchers may choose to adapt a pitching style that maximizes the pitcher-ground interaction prior to ball release.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11274/15704
dc.subjectSports Performance
dc.subject.otherBaseball
dc.subject.otherPitching
dc.subject.otherPitching mechanics
dc.subject.otherGround interaction
dc.subject.otherBaseball biomechanics
dc.titleThe effects of the pitcher-ground interaction on fastball pitching velocity
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialtext
thesis.degree.collegeCollege of Health Sciences
thesis.degree.departmentSchool of Health Promotion & Kinesiology
thesis.degree.disciplineKinesiology
thesis.degree.grantorTexas Woman's University
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy
thesis.degree.programAPA 7th edition

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
TUTTLE-PRIMARY-2023.pdf
Size:
1.34 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
proquest_license.txt
Size:
6.37 KB
Format:
Plain Text
Description:
Download
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
2.05 KB
Format:
Plain Text
Description:
Download

Collections

Kinesiology