A Brief Upper Extremity Anatomical Overview of The Pitching Motion

07 Feb A Brief Upper Extremity Anatomical Overview of The Pitching Motion

The Biomechanical motion of pitching involves utilization of the entire kinetic chain to deliver the baseball at a high level of velocity with accuracy. The completion of this motion requires involvement of lower extremities, pelvis, torso, and upper extremities to execute. It is imperative from a performance and injury preventative perspective to understand the complexity of the overhand throwing motion.

The overhead throwing motion of pitching is typically separated into phases from start to finish during the analysis of this athletic action. Models from researchers will typically incorporate 4 or 5 phases with categorization of movements within each phase. The phases are as follows: 1. Wind-up, 2. Cocking, 3. Acceleration, and 4. Follow Through.

Each phase of overhead throwing entails upper and lower extremity movement patterns in the execution of the pitching motion. The delineation of these movement patterns for this discussion are focused upper the upper extremities and will be segmented in accordance to the phases of the pitching motion stated above. Focus will be upon the upper extremities, throwing arm, and the following joints: cervical spine, thoracic spine, gleno-humeral, scapula, elbow, wrist, and fingers.

The pitching motion begins with the wind up where the athlete is looking to establish a rhythm, synchronize the body in preparation for delivery of the baseball, and initiate movement towards home plate.

The cocking phase is typically separated into two phases titled early and late. The beginning of the cocking phase is typically marked by separation of the hands and is completed when abduction and maximum external rotation of the throwing arm occurs.

Acceleration begins once maximum throwing shoulder abduction and external rotation occurs and is completed with release of the ball to home plate. Follow through begins once the baseball is released and is completed once all forces are dissipated from the kinetic chain.  Below are tables with the delineation of the upper extremity joints involved in each phase of the pitching motion and corresponding movement plane. Focus will be placed upon throwing shoulder during explanations within each phase of the pitching motion.

Listed below are tables providing an analysis of the joints, movement, and plane of motion associated with the phases of the pitching motion.

Wind up

Cocking Phase

Acceleration Phase

Follow Through

This is a brief analysis of the upper extremities incorporated in the throwing motion. We must recognize the lower extremities are incorporated in each of the phases discussed within this article. The throwing motion is an extremely complex biomechanical action incorporating the entire kinetic chain from start to finish.

Resources

Change, Edward S. “Interval Throwing and Hitting Programs in Baseball: Biomechanics and Rehabilitation.” The American Journal of Orthopedics, 2016, pp. 157–159.

Fleisig , Glen S. “Biomechanics of Baseball Pitching .” International Symposium of Biomechanics in Sports, 1 July 2010, pp. 46-50.

Houglum, Peggy A. “An Analysis of the Biomechanics of Pitching in Baseball.” National Strength and Conditioning Journal, 4 Dec. 2016, pp. 1–2.