Perceptions of Biomechanical Devices in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers and Training Staff: A Qualitative Study

Baseball players, coaches, and clinicians have sought to leverage biomechanical devices to inform training load and injury prevention. A novel biomechanical pitching sleeve and portable force plate have been proposed to track training load, kinetic, and kinematic data. The objective of this study was to identify the barriers and facilitators for use of wearable and portable biomechanical devices among elite baseball pitchers and training staff.

Qualitative descriptive study nested within a pilot feasibility study.

This study was conducted at participating team facilities. Collegiate baseball players, coaches, and support staff were recruited. Nine semi-structured focus groups/interviews were conducted using a qualitative guide book and transcribed verbatim. An abductive conventional content analysis was adopted to construct themes for barriers and facilitators for implementation of the novel biomechanical pitching sleeve and portable force plate.

Three themes emerged related to facilitators for the use of the devices. First, knowledge users valued individualized data-informed training. Second, athletes felt empowered to make training decisions through self-awareness. Third, users had a new appreciation for injury prevention strategies. Two themes emerged related to barriers for the use of the devices. First, the data interpretation imposed implementation challenges. Second, the addressing challenges in systemization and integration.

This study provides insight into barriers and facilitators that may improve future implementation of wearable or portable biomechanical devices among players, coaches, and clinicians to aid in informing training regimens and injury prevention strategies.