Hill, J.L., Humphries, B., Weidner, T., & Newton, R.U.
(2004). Female Collegiate Windmill Pitchers: Influences to Injury Incidence.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18(3), 426-431.
This study was the primary reference source for the injury
incidence in the sport of softball. 179 pitchers were polled over the course of
a season, ranging in age from 18-26 years old. They ranged in height from 5 ft.
to 6 ft. 2 in. and weighed anywhere between 110 to 210 lbs. I think that the
best way to get these data out is to spit off a list of the important findings:
- · The fastball was the pitch most related to injury at 37% (Fastball dominant pitcher)
- · Wins were not associated with incidence of injury
- · 69.8% of pitchers weight trained with the team (71.2% of those were injured)
- · Stretching was not a factor in injury incidence
- · Reported conditioning:
- 80.1% did agility training
- 78.4% did endurance training
- 16.5% did swimming
- · 72.8% reported having been injured the year before, 31.7% said they had more than 1 injury
- · 61.1% of their injuries were directly caused by pitching
- 4.6% reported injuries from sliding and hitting
- · 58% of injuries resulted in time lost from either training or competition
- · Types of injuries:
- 10 were grade I
- 30 were grade II
- 39 were grade III
- 13 were grade IV
- · 60 of the injuries were chronic injuries, 33 shoulder and 16 lower back
- · 8.7% of the pitchers required surgery
- · Innings pitched was not related to injury incidence
- · Most injuries were from gradual onset overuse
The authors in this study suggested that less pitches in
practice would be beneficial and more quality pitches as well. It makes sense
with the number of pitchers to balance the quality work and the training for
conditioning. To me, the most interesting results are that injury was not
related to innings and wins, and that the fastball was the pitch most related
to injury. One would think that, with the abundance of overuse injuries, more
volume would relate to those types of injuries. However, this particular study
didn’t illustrate the actual cause. And even though a training protocol with
less volume may make sense, this particularly study didn’t lend credence to
that assertion.
One thing that can be suggested is a training protocol that
is more pitching specific. The pitch involves a maximal effort power burst that
lasts about one second. It is then followed by a 15 to 20 second rest during an
at bat. Each at bat averages around 3-6 pitches and each inning is between
12-18 pitches. The endurance aspect doesn’t use slow-twitch muscle and is not
really in the glycolitic energy system. If the training protocols mimicked the
pitch more, maybe the pitchers would be more prepared to handle the volume they
need.
Also, if the shoulder and low back are the most likely to
get injured, then it would make sense to do preventative exercises that
strengthen those areas. Scapular stabilization, shoulder prehabilitation
exercises, hip activation and core work have become a focus in training for
Major League Baseball pitchers, and they have the resources to test and train
their athletes much more than softball. It would make sense to train these
areas more to prevent injury.
Furthermore, more emphasis needs to be placed on
post-practice care of the athletes. I have been to a lot of travel tournaments
and I rarely see a trainers tent, or even a place where the girls go to get
ice. I rarely see athletes stretch after games, do a cool-down, or take care of
themselves between games. Moreover, I never see girls eating properly, or an
emphasis at a camp on nutrition. At some point and as the sport continues to
grow, there has to be some sort of doctrine that discusses the issues that all
of these players go through to help prevent injury in a post-game protocol.
Oh, and it will be amazing what will happen when proper
mechanics are applied to more collegiate programs. Until next time…
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