Item Details

title

UTILIZATION OF WEARABLE DEVICES, WEIGHTED BALL THROWING, AND REDUCED EFFORT PITCHING TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY AND INCREASE PITCHING PERFORMANCE VIA THE MONITORING OF PITCH KINEMATICS AND KINETICS

author

Wolf, Jakob

abstract

Despite the high rate of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction among baseball pitchers, there is no universally accepted rehabilitation program for their return to sport. The incidence of UCL reconstruction surgery continues to increase significantly in baseball pitchers at all levels of play. After UCL reconstruction, return to sport rates have been reported at greater than 86% across all playing levels. However, some baseball pitchers do not return to the same level of performance, and rates of re-injury remain unacceptably high. Most surgeons will employ a progressive stepwise, criteria-based approach; however, these programs are still highly variable with no evidence-based research on appropriate plyometric drills or interval throwing plans. Elbow varus torque has been proposed to be a significant factor in sustaining an elbow injury. Pitching places a high stress on the medial elbow during the late cocking phase. Previous literature on the impact of weighted ball throwing on elbow varus torque presents mixed results. Even so, these previous studies examine overhead throwing with weighted balls, and not plyometric drills specifically. Additionally, many of the studies are underpowered. Interval throwing programs include a progression of throwing activities meant to gradually prepare a pitcher for full intent pitching. There is some previous literature exploring mechanics and arm kinetics at various long toss distances and during flat ground pitching versus pitching off a mound, however, the elbow varus torque associated with each activity is not well understood. The intent of any return to sport program following UCL injury is to gradually increase the level of elbow varus torque and stress on the UCL.23 There is a critical need to further understand and define elbow varus torque values using emerging wearable devices and motion capture technology during plyometric drills and throwing activities in an interval throwing plan.By merging flexible electronics with sewing technology, custom-fitted wearable technology (Nextiles, Brooklyn, NY) can track pitchers’ activity, including elbow varus torque from every throw. The purpose of this study is to utilize novel wearable devices and motion capture technology to define elbow varus torque values and variability across throwing activities and individuals to impact the development of safer return to sport protocols for baseball pitchers. We will accomplish this study via the following specific aims: Specific Aim 1: Validate the varus torque calculations and pitch counter from a wearable throwing sleeve made by Nextiles. Wearable devices in the form of throwing sleeves can act as a workload monitor for pitchers who are undergoing a return to throw protocol and want to limit arm kinetics. Specifically, the Nextiles sleeve calculates varus torque and acts as a pitch counter for the athlete. These is a need to validate these two metrics using Kinatrax marker-less motion capture as the construct gold-standard. Specific Aim 2: Identify the associations between arm speed, ball weight and sessions performed on elbow varus torque for plyometric drills. It is hypothesized that elbow varus torque values will differ significantly between drills, ball weights, and individuals when performing plyometric drills. It is unclear what torque values the elbow experiences during plyometric drills routinely prescribed during rehabilitation. Without a clear understanding of the kinetics during plyometric drills, it is difficult to determine if these drills are an appropriate progression during a return to throw protocol and what factors are causing varus torque to increase. It is unknown what variables are associated with increasing elbow varus torque and what weighted balls can help reduce elbow kinetics during return to throw or while training to increase pitch velocity. Specific Aim 3: Determine pitch kinetics and kinematics values with athlete identified effort levels. It is hypothesized that elbow varus torque values will decrease with effort level, but not at the same percentage as effort level reduction. Partial-effort pitching is often used during rehabilitation. The intent of these throws is to progressively increase loads on the throwing arm and injury site while enforcing proper mechanics. Elbow varus torque and its relationship to pitching mechanics and ball velocity are well established for full-effort pitching. However, elbow varus torques during partial-effort pitching have not been established and there are many other pitch kinetics and kinematics that need to be observed during reduced effort level pitching. Impact: The results of this study would inform the development of appropriate rehabilitation protocols after ulnar collateral ligament reconstructive surgery for safer return to sport while using wearable biomechanics throwing sleeve as well as development of on-ramp plans for healthy pitchers with the hope of reducing long-term UCL injury and re-injury rates

subject

Baseball

Biomechanics

Injury Prevention

Motion Capture

Wearable Devices

contributor

Nicholson, Kristen (advisor)

Bullock, Garrett (committee member)

Gayzik, Scott (committee member)

Allaire, Paul (committee member)

date

2024-05-23T08:36:21Z (accessioned)

2024 (issued)

degree

Biomedical Engineering (discipline)

embargo

2026-05-22 (terms)

2026-05-22 (liftdate)

identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/109440 (uri)

language

en (iso)

publisher

Wake Forest University

type

Thesis