DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF sEMG DURING THE WINDMILL SOFTBALL PITCH: PRE-FATIGUE AND FATIGUED

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the upper and lower extremity muscle activation patterns of the windmill softball pitch during pre-fatigue and fatigued states. Biomechanical data concerning softball pitching is limited; however data examining muscle activations during a pre-fatigued and fatigued state during softball pitching are nonexistent. Just as there is prevalence to injury when performing the baseball pitch, that element of injury also arises in softball pitching. Thus in attempt to prevent injury, the muscle activations occurring during the pitching motion must be understood. Ten softball pitchers volunteered for the study. Participants were analyzed with surface electromyography, and motion analysis software. The muscle firing patterns were described during the phases of the softball pitch.