Valgus torque in youth baseball pitchers: A biomechanical study

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Youth baseball pitchers experience high rates of elbow injuries.
• Understanding the biomechanical and anthropometric factors is crucial for injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify biomechanical and anthropometric factors contributing to elbow valgus torque in youth pitchers.
• To inform strategies for reducing elbow injuries in young athletes.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed video data of 14 youth pitchers throwing fastballs.
• Calculated shoulder and elbow kinematics and kinetics.
• Correlated anthropometric and biomechanical variables with peak elbow valgus torque.

Main Results:

• Peak elbow valgus torque averaged 18 Nm.
• Thrower's weight was most closely correlated with valgus torque.
• Shoulder abduction and internal rotation torques explained 85% of valgus torque variance.
• Maximum shoulder external rotation accounted for 33% of valgus torque variance.

Conclusions:

• Elbow valgus torque in youth pitchers is significantly influenced by shoulder mechanics and anthropometrics.
• Modifiable biomechanical factors are limited.
• Limiting pitching innings is a key strategy for elbow injury prevention.