Dynamic EMG analysis of torque transfer in professional baseball pitchers

Abstract

Fifteen professional baseball pitchers underwent active pitching motion analysis of the abdominal oblique, rectus abdominis, lumbar paraspinous and gluteus maximus muscles bilaterally via surface electrode evaluation. Baseline resting and isometric maximum values were obtained and active data referenced against these for comparison. The muscle activity then was measured during the pitching sequence and analyzed in each of the five pitching phases. The abdominal oblique, lumbar paraspinous and rectus abdominis contralateral to the pitching arm and the ipsilateral gluteus maximus all had increases in activity level of 75 to 100% during the active pitching motion. Using these data indicating specific muscle group patterns with clinical and performance data, we hope to minimize injuries and maximize pitching performance.