KINETICS OF DODGEBALL THROWING WITH AN IMPLICATION ABOUT INJURY MECHANISMS OF ELBOW JOINT

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the load of elbow joint based on the kinetic analysis of the primary school dodgeball players’ throwing motion. Four male primary school dodgeball players performed the overhand throwing motion while recorded by a Vicon three-dimensional motion analysis system. Changing patterns of elbow joint torques are similar to those for baseball pitching. The varus torque was the largest value among all elbow joint torques . The extension/flexion angle of elbow joint was -64.8° at peak varus torque. It is possible that the varus torque may lead to medial elbow injury, including ligament, muscle, joint surface and ulnar nerve damage. For healthy growth of children, it would be necessary to set some rules for preventing acute and chronic sports injuries, for example, the number of times of throwing in day should be limited.