ECSS Paris 2023: CP-BM09
INTRODUCTION: Fast bowlers play a critical role in cricket, with effective bowlers greatly contributing to team success. The rapid growth of women’s cricket means that research into performance is in its infancy however the available information suggests there may be anthropometrical, neuromuscular or technical differences between sexes. Using an exploratory research design this study explored these factors with respect to ball release speed in elite and emerging female fast-bowlers. METHODS: 3D motion analysis and ground reaction force assessment quantified the bowling action and ball release speed of 34 elite and pathways female fast-bowlers (17.6 ± 3.5 years). Anthropometry measures of height, mass, leg length and bowling arm length were assessed, as were neuromuscular measures of 20m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and unilateral sub-maximal stiffness. Correlation analyses were undertaken to identify associations between ball release speed and the measured variables. RESULTS: Ball release speed exhibited associations with anthropometrical measures of stature (r=0.529), body mass (r=0.469) and mean leg length (r=0.576). Ball release speed was associated with front leg knee flexion at front foot contact (FFC) (r=-0.350) and horizontal and resultant ground reaction force at FFC (r=-0.511, r=0.687 respectively). Neuromuscular measures of CMJ power (r=0.443), IMTP peak (r=0.518) and net force (r=0.491), front (r=0.342) and back leg absolute stiffness (r=0.397), and back leg relative stiffness (r=0.397) all revealed associations with ball release speed. CONCLUSION: The associations between ball release speed and strong, powerful and long legs may inform the methodologies of future studies. The current cohort revealed relationships between ball release speed and certain biomechanical measures at FFC, whereby less front knee flexion, higher levels of braking force and higher overall ground reaction force at FFC were associated with faster bowling speeds. Future research could focus on FFC during bowling given it’s apparent relevance. The general lack of associations between ball release speed and kinematic and kinetic factors at other parts of the bowling action may be due to the wide age range and physical maturation of the participants. Alternatively, data from discrete timepoints may not reflect the individualised nature of cricket bowling technique and there may be scope for other types of analysis such as functional data analysis to examine the entire action. The current findings provide insights into new relationships with ball release speed in female fast-bowlers that require validation by future confirmatory research.
Read CV Mark WatsfordECSS Paris 2023: CP-BM09
INTRODUCTION: Fastballs(FB) and changeups(CU) are fastpitch softball’s most commonly used pitch types. Studies have shown that the speed range for FB is 85-95 km/h and 60-75 km/h for CU. CU typically has greater torso flexion and lateral flexion at ball release, while FB relies more on the linear movement of the torso to increase ball speed [1]. The individual differences between pitchers can often be observed by examining the changes in the kinematics of the limbs over the pitching movement. This study examined the 3-D kinematic parameters of fastpitch softball pitchers throwing fastballs and changeups to provide recommendations for individually targeted training strategies. METHODS: 4 collegiate division I womens softball pitchers threw 10 FB and CU each. The pitch speed was recorded with a speed gun. 5 strikes of each pitch type were selected for analysis. 2 high-speed cameras and Simi Motion software captured the 3-D kinematics of the pitchers head, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle on the throwing side from the stride foot off the ground to the ball leaving the hand. A camera behind the net captured the ball’s position as it passed the home plate, which is used as the basis for determining a strike. The independent sample t-test was used for each pitcher between the 2 pitch types; a significant level was set at a=.05. RESULTS: The results of the independent sample t-test of the 4 pitchers were all significant (ps<.05), but only 2 reached 85 km/h ball speed in FB. For the kinematics, the maximum absolute velocity of the hips of all but one qualified FB pitcher was significantly different between the 2 pitch types (ps<.05). The exception pitcher, however, found a significant difference in changes in elbow joint angles between pitch types (p<.05) and no other pitchers did. In addition, the absolute speed of the wrist at the time of the ball release was significantly different between the pitch types (ps<.05) except for one pitcher of FB speed under 85 km/h. CONCLUSION: The association between absolute hip velocity and pitch speed in most pitchers supports the relation between the FB and the linear movement of the torso. 2 pitchers did not reach 80 km/h in FB pitches. Post-hoc examination indicated that a lower absolute hip velocity may have contributed to the low pitch speed. One pitcher who met the FB standard did not differentiate in absolute hip velocity between pitch types but was the only one with a difference in the amount of elbow angle change between pitch types. Although the upper limbs’ movement may also generate faster pitch speed, the smaller mass of the upper limbs is prone to injury. Strengthening torso acceleration should be a primary way to improve pitch speed. The analysis of the kinematics of pitcher movement is an important basis for coach-player training programs, and future research should consider the stability of pitching for different pitching types. Reference [1]Downs JL, 2021. American J Sports Med.49(4):1065-1072.
Read CV YU-JU HSUECSS Paris 2023: CP-BM09
INTRODUCTION: This study aims to correlate biomechanical implement release variables with implement distance (performance) in elite Paralympic shot put. METHODS: Six athletes (A1–A6) from different functional classes (F11, F12, F42, F57, F55) participated in the research conducted at the Paralympic Center in São Paulo in preparation for the Paris 2024 Games. A total of 36 throws were analyzed using data captured by two synchronized SONY FDR-AX40 cameras (120 Hz), the 3D data was obtained through standard calibration and reconstruction methods. The analyzed variables included the release angle in the XZ and XY planes (RAxz; RAxy), release height (RH), distance from the sector limit (DSL), scalar velocity (SV), and its components (Vx, Vy, Vz). RESULTS: Results show significant differences across functional classes, for standing athletes (F11, F12, F42), phase times from T1 to T5 were also analyzed. Spearmans correlation analysis revealed distinct patterns for each athlete. For A1, a moderate positive correlation was found between distance from the sector limit (DSL) and throw distance (TD) (r=0.522; p=0.288), and between scalar velocity (SV) and TD (r=0.829; p=0.058). The T3-T4 phase showed a positive correlation (r=0.478; p=0.338), while the T4-T5 phase showed a negative correlation (r=-0.432; p=0.392). For A2, there was a strong positive correlation between release height (RH) and TD (r=0.696; p=0.125) and between SV and TD (r=0.771; p=0.103). The T2-T3 phase had the highest correlation with TD (r=0.794; p=0.059). For A3, the relationship between SV and TD was statistically significant (r=0.812; p=0.0499), while DSL had a strong negative correlation (r=-0.754; p=0.084). For seated athletes (F57, F55), A4 showed a strong positive correlation between TD and DSL (r=0.794; p=0.059) and between RH and TD (r=0.627; p=0.183), while SV had a moderate positive correlation (r=0.464; p=0.354). In A5, the release angle (RAxz) had a strong negative correlation with TD (r=-0.829; p=0.058), suggesting that higher angles may reduce distance. SV had a moderate positive correlation (r=0.580; p=0.228), while RH had a negative correlation (r=-0.609; p=0.200). For A6, RH had a significant negative correlation with TD (r=-0.956; p=0.0029), while DSL had a strong positive correlation (r=0.779; p=0.068) and SV a moderate negative correlation (r=-0.725; p=0.103). CONCLUSION: The correlations between variables and distance highlight the complex interplay of factors influencing performance in Paralympic shot put. The findings indicate that different variables influence throwing distance (TD) depending on the athlete and their technique, suggesting the need for individualized adjustments to maximize performance in Paralympic shot put.
Read CV Tiago RussomannoECSS Paris 2023: CP-BM09