Machine Learning Approach for Pitch Type Classification Based on Pelvis and Trunk Kinematics Captured with Wearable Sensors

The large stream of data from wearable devices integrated with sports routines has changed the traditional approach to athletes’ training and performance monitoring. However, one of the challenges of data-driven training is to provide actionable insights tailored to individual training optimization. In baseball, the pitching mechanics and pitch...

Individualised Ball Speed Prediction in Baseball Pitching Based on IMU Data

Ball velocity is considered an important performance measure in baseball pitching. Proper pitching mechanics play an important role in both maximising ball velocity and injury-free participation of baseball pitchers. However, an individual pitcher’s characteristics display individuality and may contribute to velocity imparted to the ball. The...

Are UCL Injuries a Matter of Bad Luck?: The Role of Variability and Fatigue Quantified

Upper extremity injuries are common in baseball. One of these is the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury. In the field of sports injuries, most research focuses on average kinematics and kinetics between subjects, whereas focusing on within-subject variability appears to be more relevant for determining injury risk. We constructed a simple...

Longitudinal changes in shoulder ROM and strength in association with ball-throwing speed in elite youth baseball pitchers

The purpose of this prospective study was to examine the longitudinal changes in shoulder ER ROM and relative IR strength in elite youth baseball pitchers over one year and to determine their associations with changes in ball speed for throwing fastballs. One hundred and five Dutch elite youth baseball pitchers were measured three times over a...

The role of pelvis and thorax rotation velocity in baseball pitching

The objective of the present study was to examine the relative timing of pelvis and thorax rotations in achieving high throwing velocities in baseball pitching. During the preseason, a kinematic analysis was performed on eight pitchers. Peak angular velocities of the pelvis and thorax were determined and separation, defined as the time between...

Elite athlete motor and loading actions on the upper limb in baseball pitching

In baseball, pitchers are the players that are most prone to injury. Most injuries occur at the elbow and shoulder of the throwing upper limb. It is widely accepted that understanding the loading in the joints during pitching is a key factor to prevent injuries. To deepen the understanding of the joint actions this study proposes to split the...

Shoulder joint velocity during fastball pitching in baseball

The purpose of this study was to assess the rotation and translation velocity of the shoulder complex during fastball pitching in baseball. 8 pitchers from the Dutch AAA team performed each 3 fastball pitches. Their motion was recorded by an opto-electronic device. Kinematic computation was performed using the quaternion algebra. The results...