Trunk Rotational Range of Motion and Abdominal Oblique Strength in High School and Collegiate Baseball Pitchers: Implications for Performance and Energy Flow

Authors

Belinda Aldern, Point Loma Nazarene UniversityFollow
Arnel Aguinaldo, Point Loma Nazarene UniversityFollow
Avery Takata, Point Loma Nazarene UniversityFollow
Antonio Squillante, Point Loma Nazarene UniversityFollow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Baseball pitching requires complex sequencing of the kinetic chain, with the trunk serving as an integral role for linking the lower body to the upper body. Despite past research on energy flow in pitching, there is an increased need to study age-specific performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in Trunk Rotational Range of Motion (TRROM) and Abdominal Oblique Strength (AOS) between high school and collegiate baseball pitchers and how these variables relate to performance and mechanical energy flow through the lumbosacral (L5S1) joint. METHODS: 12 High School and 12 Collegiate aged pitchers were evaluated during a one-time session. Active TRROM and Isometric AOS were recorded using a dynamometer. Participants were allowed a self-selected warmup and then threw a standardized bullpen. During this bullpen, kinetic and kinematic variables were recorded using a 10-camera markerless motion capture system with an integrated instrumented pitching mound. Variables of interest were extracted using Visual 3D and statistically analysis was run in Python. Time-series data for L5S1 Joint Torque Power (indicating power generation and absorption), L5S1 rate of energy transfer, and trunk angular velocity were extracted for both age groups and analyzed using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM). RESULTS: College pitchers transferred more energy distally at L5S1 prior to Stride Foot Contact (SFC) and after Ball Release (BR) (pCONCLUSION: These findings suggest that college pitchers exhibit greater trunk angular velocity and more efficient distal energy transfer at L5S1, whereas high school pitchers rely more on post-BR energy generation. These differences highlight age-related variations in energy flow and angular velocity at the L5S1 joint and trunk segment during pitching. Further statistical analysis may reveal additional findings, and when combined with SPM results, can help inform coaching strategies and player development.

Recommended Citation

Aldern, Belinda; Aguinaldo, Arnel; Takata, Avery; and Squillante, Antonio (2025) "Trunk Rotational Range of Motion and Abdominal Oblique Strength in High School and Collegiate Baseball Pitchers: Implications for Performance and Energy Flow," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 5, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss5/3