Abstract

The relationship between several isokinetic measures and throwing velocity was investigated in intercollegiate baseball pitchers were. Ten pitchers tested for peak-torque (PT) at 60 and 240 deg/sec, and torque acceleration energy (TAE), average power (AP) and total work (TW) at 240 deg/sec during shoulder extension and flexion, shoulder internal and external rotation, and elbow flexion and extension on a Cybex isokinetic dynamometer interfaced with a Cybex Data Reduction Computer. Throwing velocity was measured with an M.P.H.K-15 tripod-mounted radar device during a second test session. Pearson Moment correlations were computed to determine the relationship between throwing velocity and each isokinetic measure for each muscle group tested. The correlations between throwing velocity and isokinetic measures obtained during shoulder flexion and extension and elbow flexion and extension were not significant. During shoulder internal rotation (240 deg/sec), significant correlations were found between throwing velocity and PT, TAE, AP and TW. Significant correlations were also observed between throwing velocity and shoulder external rotation (240 deg/sec) PT, AP, and TW. Correlations between throwing velocity and shoulder internal and external rotation PT at 60 deg/sec were not significant. While these findings do not establish a cause and effect relationship, they do suggest a specificity of exercise for the shoulder internal and external rotator muscle groups. Verf.-Referat