For Improved Pitching, Pay Attention To The Pelvis

Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 27 May 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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A strong throwing arm isn't the only factor on which to judge pitchers; experts at the American College of Sports Medicine's 56th Annual Meeting in Seattle say the pelvis may be a strong predictor of future pitching success in baseball.

The study evaluated 24 professional-level pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization aged 18 to 26 to gauge their pelvic control levels and to determine what, if any, effect pelvic control had on pitching performance. Researchers found that pitchers with the most "stable" pelvises typically experienced the greatest success on the mound.

Ptichers wore a "Level Belt" apparatus, which he helped design, to measure pelvic stability, grading anterior-posterior tilt (from zero to 10 degrees) when each pitcher made the common transition from a two-leg to a single-leg pitching stance.

The median Level-Belt score of the pitchers was seven degrees; pitchers who tilted seven degrees or fewer during their stance transition had lower opponent batting averages (.244 vs. .290) and fewer walks and hits allowed per inning.

"Pitchers who had controlled, stable pelvic movement during their throwing process were more dominant against hitters," said Christopher McKenzie, P.T., lead author. "Pelvic stability tests are relatively easy to perform, so this could be a simple way for coaches and athletic trainers to predict pitchers' quality and success."

It is unclear if pelvic movement causes or prevents injuries, as there were no statistically significant differences in injury rates between the below-seven-degrees and above-seven-degrees groups.

Source
American College of Sports Medicine