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Lefties are still a little shorter
Ernest L Abel1, Michael L Kruger
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. eabel@wayne.edu
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|June 15, 2007
Summary
Right-handed baseball pitchers are slightly taller and heavier than left-handed pitchers. This study of 5780 major league pitchers confirms a small but consistent body size difference related to handedness.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Human Biology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Handedness is a fundamental human trait with potential links to various physiological characteristics.
- Previous research has explored anthropometric differences between right- and left-handed individuals across different populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate anthropometric differences (height and weight) between right-handed and left-handed professional baseball pitchers.
- To determine if body size variations correlate with handedness in a large cohort of elite athletes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of height and weight data from 5780 major league baseball pitchers.
- Data adjusted for birth year to account for potential generational changes in body size.
Main Results:
- Right-handed pitchers were, on average, 1.6 cm taller than left-handed pitchers.
- Right-handed pitchers were, on average, 1.9 kg heavier than left-handed pitchers.
- The observed differences in body size were statistically significant but practically very small.
Conclusions:
- Body size, specifically height and weight, shows a slight but consistent association with handedness in professional baseball pitchers.
- Findings corroborate previous studies suggesting a relationship between handedness and physical characteristics.
- The average anthropometric difference between right- and left-handed pitchers is minimal, indicating high overlap in body types.
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