Kinetic Analysis of Fingers During Aimed Throwing

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neuroscience
• Sports Science

Background:

• Understanding the biomechanics of throwing is crucial for performance and injury prevention in baseball.
• The role of coordinated torques in achieving accurate ball release remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare finger segment differences between conventional and finger models during aimed throwing.
• To investigate the central nervous system's timing control between wrist and finger torque during throwing.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an inverse dynamics method to calculate finger kinetics in seven baseball players.
• Analyzed the correlation and time lag between wrist torque and finger torque during the throwing motion.

Main Results:

• The conventional model showed smaller wrist flexion torque due to ball position approximation errors.
• A high maximal correlation coefficient (r = 0.85 ± 0.10) was observed between wrist and finger torque.
• A minimal time lag (t = 0.36 ± 3.02 ms) was found at maximal correlation, indicating synchronized torques.

Conclusions:

• The central nervous system synchronizes wrist and finger torque through feed-forward adjustments to stabilize release timing.
• This synchronization is critical for optimizing ball trajectory and performance in baseball players.