Measuring the Average Peak Timing of Kinematic Variables in Youth and Adolescent Baseball Pitchers.
Mark Boland, Daniel Zambanini, Ivan Mulligan and 1 others
PMID 37425115WHAT IT FOUND
Youth pitchers peaked in key throwing movements about 10% earlier in their delivery than adults.
They also used shorter strides, which may explain the timing difference. These biomechanical differences could increase injury risk in developing arms.
Key findings
01Youth pitchers experienced peaks in certain kinematic variables approximately 10% earlier in the pitching cycle compared to collegiate and professional pitchers.
02The average stride length for the youth participants was 81.9% of their height, which is shorter than the optimal 85-90% seen in professional pitchers.
03The timing of peak kinematic variables occurred consistently earlier throughout the pitching cycle in youth and adolescent subjects compared to collegiate and professional pitchers.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The sample size was small (n=24) and recruited from a rural location, limiting generalizability. The study was conducted in a laboratory setting with a shortened throwing distance (40 feet) rather than the standard mound distance, which may affect natural pitching mechanics. The motion capture system could not measure torque or joint forces, so the direct link between the observed timing differences and actual injury risk remains theoretical. The study was cross-sectional, comparing current youth data to historical adult data, so it cannot confirm that the timing differences are due to age or development rather than other factors.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that the observed earlier timing of kinematic peaks directly causes injury, as the study did not measure joint torque or track injuries. The differences may be normal developmental variations rather than pathological flaws.