EXAMINATION OF GLUTEAL MUSCLE FIRING and KINETICS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY DURING THE WINDMILL SOFTBALL PITCH

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the muscle activation and kinetic data of the lower extremity during the windmill softball pitch. Limited research has documented the lower extremity in the windmill softball pitch. Seven female post-pubescent softball players volunteered for the study. Pitchers were analyzed with surface electromyography and motion analysis software. There was no relationship observed between gluteal activation and ground reaction forces at SFP and maximum force. Only one investigation prior to this study reported ground reaction forces of windmill softball pitchers, however they did not examine the EMG activity.