Background:

The softball pitch is a full-body motion, where efficient proximal to distal energy flow through the kinetic chain is said to reduce stress at the upper extremity. Although altered trunk kinematic parameters are associated with upper extremity pain in softball pitchers, further research is needed to determine whether differences exist in proximal energy flow between softball pitchers with and without pain.

Hypothesis/Purpose:

To examine pelvis and trunk energy flow during the acceleration phase of the pitch in collegiate softball pitchers with and without upper extremity pain. It was hypothesized that those with upper extremity pain would have less energy flowing into the proximal ends of the pelvis and trunk as well as less energy flowing out of the distal ends of the pelvis and trunk during the acceleration phase when compared with pitchers who did not have upper extremity pain.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 54 female National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I softball pitchers (age, 20.2 ± 2.0 years; height, 173.5 ± 6.9 cm; weight, 78.5 ± 11.5 kg) were assigned to pain (n = 17) and pain-free (n = 38) groups. Participants pitched 3 maximal effort rise-balls for a strike, and the average of the 3 trials was used for analysis. Kinematic data were collected at 100 Hz using an electromagnetic tracking system. A segment power analysis was performed to quantify energy flow for the pelvis and trunk. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare pelvis and trunk energy flow during the acceleration phase of the pitch as well as pitch velocity between collegiate softball pitchers with and without upper extremity pain.

Results:

No significant differences were found between pelvis and trunk energy flow during the acceleration phase or pitch velocity between collegiate softball pitchers with and without upper extremity pain (all P values >.057).

Conclusion:

Previous research determined that kinematic parameters differ between collegiate pitchers with and without upper extremity pain. However, the current study found no difference in pelvis and trunk energy flow or pitch velocity. Although altered kinematics in collegiate pitchers with upper extremity pain may serve as compensation patterns to maintain pitch velocity and proximal energy flow, future research is needed to confirm this postulation.

Clinical Relevance:

The lack of energy flow differences between upper extremity pain groups suggests that pitchers may adapt their biomechanics to maintain trunk and pelvis energy flow patterns. Coaches, athletes, and clinicians should know that movement adaptations can allow for maintained performance levels but may result in the presence of pain that may manifest in other deleterious and injury-susceptible biomechanics.

中文翻译：

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有和没有上肢疼痛的大学垒球投手的骨盆和躯干能量流动

背景：

垒球投球是一种全身运动，据说通过动力链的近端到远端的有效能量流可以减少上肢的压力。尽管改变的躯干运动学参数与垒球投手的上肢疼痛有关，但需要进一步研究以确定有无疼痛的垒球投手之间的近端能量流是否存在差异。

假设/目的：

检查有和没有上肢疼痛的大学垒球投手在投球加速阶段的骨盆和躯干能量流。据推测，与没有上肢疼痛的投手相比，在加速阶段，有上肢疼痛的投手流入骨盆和躯干近端的能量更少，流出骨盆和躯干远端的能量也更少。有上肢疼痛。

学习规划：

描述性实验室研究。

方法：

共有 54 名全国大学体育协会一级垒球投手（年龄 20.2 ± 2.0 岁；身高 173.5 ± 6.9 cm；体重 78.5 ± 11.5 kg）被分配到疼痛组（n = 17）和无痛组（n = 38) 组。参与者投出 3 个最大努力的起跳球进行一次打击，并使用 3 次试验的平均值进行分析。使用电磁跟踪系统以 100 Hz 的频率收集运动学数据。进行分段功率分析以量化骨盆和躯干的能量流。Mann-Whitney U测试用于比较在球场加速阶段的骨盆和躯干能量流，以及有和没有上肢疼痛的大学垒球投手之间的投球速度。

结果：

在有和没有上肢疼痛的大学垒球投手之间，在加速阶段或俯仰速度期间，骨盆和躯干能量流之间没有显着差异（所有P值 >.057）。

结论：

先前的研究确定，有和没有上肢疼痛的大学投手之间的运动学参数不同。然而，目前的研究发现骨盆和躯干能量流或俯仰速度没有差异。尽管上肢疼痛的大学投手运动学的改变可以作为维持俯仰速度和近端能量流的补偿模式，但需要未来的研究来证实这一假设。

临床相关性：

上肢疼痛组之间缺乏能量流差异表明投手可能会调整其生物力学以维持躯干和骨盆的能量流模式。教练、运动员和临床医生应该知道，运动适应可以保持表现水平，但可能会导致疼痛的出现，这可能会在其他有害和易受伤的生物力学中表现出来。