Using Biomechanical Devices in Elite Baseball Pitchers: A Preliminary Feasibility Study

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Athletic Training

Background:

• Baseball clinicians, coaches, and players seek biomechanical devices for training insights and injury prevention.
• Feasibility data for adopting novel biomechanical technologies in baseball is limited.
• This study investigated the adoption and continued use of wearable and portable biomechanical devices by collegiate baseball pitchers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the uptake (initial use) and adherence (continued use) of biomechanical devices among collegiate baseball pitchers.
• To assess the feasibility of integrating biomechanical monitoring into a baseball training season.
• To identify factors influencing the adoption and sustained use of these technologies.

Main Methods:

• Calculated uptake and adherence rates with 95% confidence intervals for a biomechanical pitching sleeve and a force plate.
• Monitored device use during practice and a countermovement jump task weekly.
• Conducted non-response bias analyses comparing users and non-users based on medical history and pitching data.

Main Results:

• Twenty-two pitchers participated in the study.
• Force plate uptake was 0.32 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.55), and pitching sleeve uptake was 0.55 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.76).
• Adherence was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.70) for the force plate and 0.13 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.17) for the pitching sleeve. Pitchers without prior upper extremity injuries were more likely to continue using the pitching sleeve.

Conclusions:

• Observed variable uptake and adherence rates for biomechanical devices among pitchers.
• Highlighted the need to address barriers and facilitators to enhance device adoption and sustained use.
• Emphasized the importance of improved uptake and adherence for future research on injury prevention through biomechanical data monitoring.