Variability in Baseball Throwing Metrics During A Structured Long-toss Program: Does One Size Fit All?

• Published in: Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine 2019-07, Vol.7 (7_suppl5)
• Main Authors: Leafblad, Nels, Larson, Dirk, Fleisig, Glenn S., Conte, Stan, Fealy, Stephen, Dines, Joshua, D’Angelo, John, Camp, Christopher L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Elbow; Orthopedics; Sports medicine; Velocity
• ISSN: 2325-9671; 2325-9671
• DOI: 10.1177/2325967119S00394

Objectives: The variability of throwing metrics, particularly elbow torque and ball velocity, during structured long-toss programs is yet to be fully elucidated. The primary aims of this study were to assess various throwing metrics through a structured long-toss program using wearable technology and to quantify the intra and inter thrower variability of these metrics at each stage of throwing. Methods: This was a descriptive laboratory study in which 60 high school and collegiate pitchers participated in a predetermined, structured, progressive long-toss program. All players wore a motusBASEBALL sleeve (Motus Global, Inc.; Rockville Centre, NY), which measured arm slot, arm velocity, shoulder rotation, and elbow varus torque. Radar guns were used to measure ball velocity. These metrics were compared within and between all pitchers at each of the following throwing distances: 90 ft, 120 ft, 150 ft, 180 ft, and maximum effort mound pitching. Intra- and inter- thrower reliabilities were calculated for each throwing metric at every stage of the program. Excellent intra-thrower reliability was defined by an Intra-class coefficient (ICC) >0.750. Acceptable inter-thrower reliability was defined by a Coefficient of Variation (CV)