If you are searching for Long Toss Research in Baseball then here are some of the best studies!
Long Toss is a widely used practice in baseball, utilized for conditioning, training, and rehabilitation. It involves players throwing a baseball over long distances, often up to 300 feet or more, to build arm strength, improve throwing mechanics, and enhance overall performance. The technique is popular among players at all levels of the game, from youth leagues to professional baseball.
Despite its widespread use, long toss remains a subject of controversy and debate within the baseball community. Proponents argue that it is an essential component of a pitcher's training regimen, helping to increase arm endurance, velocity, and resilience against injuries. They believe that the incremental increase in throwing distance simulates game conditions and can lead to significant improvements in performance.
Critics, however, raise concerns about the potential risks associated with long toss. They point to the increased stress on the shoulder and elbow joints, which can lead to overuse injuries and long-term damage. Some experts argue that without proper supervision and technique, long toss can do more harm than good, especially for younger players who are still developing physically.
This article aims to provide a detailed review of the existing research on long toss, examining its biomechanical implications and its role in conditioning, training, and rehabilitation. By analyzing key studies and expert opinions, we aim to offer a balanced perspective on the effectiveness and safety of long toss. Additionally, we will explore practical applications and provide recommendations for incorporating long toss into a structured training program.
By the end of this article, readers will have a comprehensive understanding of the science behind long toss, enabling them to make informed decisions about its use in their own training or coaching practices. Whether you are a player looking to enhance your performance, a coach seeking effective training methods, or a parent concerned about the safety of your child's baseball activities, this review will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of long toss in baseball.
Biomechanical Comparison of Baseball Pitching and Long Toss
Study Summary: Long Toss Research in Baseball
Study Summary: Long Toss Research in BaseballObjective:
- To compare the kinematic and kinetic differences between pitching from a mound and long-toss throws on flat ground.
Study Design:
- Controlled laboratory study involving 17 healthy, college baseball pitchers.
Methods:
- Participants pitched fastballs from a mound (18.4 meters) and performed long-toss throws at distances of 37 meters, 55 meters, and maximum distance on flat ground.
- Kinematics and kinetics were measured using a 3-dimensional, automated motion analysis system.
- Data analysis included repeated-measures analyses of variance and post hoc paired t-tests.
Key Findings:
- Shoulder Line: At foot contact, the shoulder line was nearly horizontal during mound pitching but became progressively more inclined with increased throwing distances during long toss.
- Shoulder External Rotation: Maximum shoulder external rotation was highest during maximum-distance throws (mean ± SD, 180° ± 11°).
- Elbow Flexion: The greatest elbow flexion was observed during maximum-distance throws (109° ± 10°).
- Shoulder Internal Rotation Torque: This was highest during maximum-distance throws (101 ± 17 Nm).
- Elbow Varus Torque: Elbow varus torque was also greatest during maximum-distance throws (100 ± 18 Nm).
- Elbow Extension Velocity: Maximum elbow extension velocity was observed during maximum-distance throws (2573°/s ± 203°/s).
- Trunk Tilt: Forward trunk tilt at the instant of ball release decreased as throwing distance increased.
Conclusions:
- Hard, horizontal throws on flat ground share similar biomechanical patterns with mound pitching, making them reasonable exercises for pitchers.
- However, maximum-distance throws lead to increased torques and altered kinematics, suggesting the need for caution when using these throws in training and rehabilitation.
This study highlights the biomechanical similarities and differences between pitching from a mound and long-toss throws. It underscores the potential benefits and risks associated with incorporating long toss into a pitcher's training regimen, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and monitoring to prevent injuries.
Perceived Effort vs. Measured Effort in Long Toss Programs
Study Summary: Long Toss Research in Baseball
Study Summary: Long Toss Research in BaseballBackground:
- During rehabilitation throwing programs, baseball players are commonly asked to throw at reduced levels of effort (e.g., 50% effort, 75% effort) to moderate stress on healing tissues. It is currently unknown how changes in players’ perceived exertion compare with changes in actual exertion during structured long-toss programs.
Purpose:
- To determine whether decreased effort correlates with decreased throwing metrics.
- To assess whether metrics decrease proportionally with reductions in perceived effort.
- To quantify intrathrower variability.
Study Design:
- Descriptive laboratory study involving 60 male high school and collegiate baseball pitchers.
Methods:
- Participants wore a motusBASEBALL sleeve, which measured elbow varus torque, arm velocity, arm slot, and shoulder rotation.
- Ball velocity was measured with a radar gun.
- Each pitcher threw five throws a distance of 120 feet at three effort levels: maximum effort, 75% effort, and 50% effort.
- Throwing metrics were compared among the three levels of effort to see if each 25% decrease resulted in proportional decreases in elbow varus torque and ball velocity.
- Intrathrower variability was determined for each throwing metric at each degree of effort.
Key Findings:
- All throwing metrics decreased as players decreased their perceived effort (P < .001).
- These observed decreases were much smaller in magnitude than the decreases in perceived effort.
- 75% Effort Throws: Elbow varus torque reduced to 93% of maximum, and velocity dropped to 86% of maximum.
- 50% Effort Throws: Elbow varus torque remained at 87% of max effort torque, while velocity remained at 78% of max.
- Intrathrower reliability was considered excellent for most metrics (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.75).
Conclusions:
- For every 25% decrease in perceived effort, elbow varus torque only decreased by 7%, and velocity only decreased by 11%.
- Players’ perceived effort does not match the actual measured effort, meaning actual throwing metrics do not decrease at the same rate as perceived exertion.
- This has significant implications for physical therapists, physicians, trainers, coaches, and athletes to understand and monitor elbow stress during the rehabilitation process.
This study provides crucial insights into the discrepancies between perceived and actual effort during long-toss programs. It highlights the importance of using objective measurements to monitor throwing metrics accurately, ensuring that players do not inadvertently place excessive stress on their arms during rehabilitation.
Variability in Baseball Throwing Metrics During a Structured Long Toss Program
Study Summary: Long Toss Research in Baseball
Study Summary: Long Toss Research in BaseballBackground:
- The variability of throwing metrics, particularly elbow torque and ball velocity, during structured long-toss programs is unknown.
Hypotheses:
- Elbow torque and ball velocity would increase as throwers progressed through a structured long-toss program.
- Intrathrower reliability would be high while interthrower reliability would be variable.
Study Design:
- Descriptive laboratory study involving 60 healthy high school and collegiate pitchers.
Methods:
- Participants wore a validated inertial measurement unit to measure arm slot, arm velocity, shoulder rotation, and elbow varus torque.
- Ball velocity was assessed with a radar gun.
- Metrics were compared within and between pitchers at distances of 90, 120, 150, and 180 feet, and during maximum effort mound pitching.
- Intra- and interthrower reliabilities were calculated for each metric at every stage of the program.
Key Findings:
- Ball Velocity: Significantly changed at each progressive throwing distance.
- Elbow Torque: Did not significantly change with increased throwing distances.
- Mound Pitching vs. Long-Toss: Pitching from the mound did not place more torque on the elbow than long-toss throws from 120 feet and beyond.
- Reliability: Intrathrower reliability was excellent throughout the program (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.75).
- 91% of throwers had acceptable interthrower reliability for ball velocity.
- 79% of throwers had acceptable interthrower reliability for elbow torque.
Conclusions:
- It may be practical to incorporate mound pitching earlier in the program once a player is comfortable throwing from 120 feet.
- Ball velocity and elbow torque do not necessarily correlate with one another, so radar guns should be used cautiously to estimate elbow torque.
- Given the variability in elbow torque between throwers, individualized long-toss programs may be beneficial for rehabilitation.
Changes in Throwing Arm Mechanics at Increased Throwing Distances
Study Summary: Long Toss Research in Baseball
Study Summary: Long Toss Research in BaseballBackground:
- Elbow injuries among adolescent baseball players have been increasing. To prevent injuries and maximize return-to-play potential, "return to throw" programs, including long-toss throws, are emphasized. Previous studies focused on college-aged athletes, leaving a gap in knowledge regarding high school players.
Purpose:
- To quantify changes in arm slot, arm speed, shoulder external rotation, and elbow varus torque across increasing throwing distances within high school baseball players.
Study Design:
- Descriptive laboratory study involving 95 high school baseball players.
Methods:
- Participants performed a long-toss protocol while wearing an inertial sensor and sleeve.
- Each participant threw five times at distances of 9 meters, 18 meters, 27 meters, 37 meters, and 46 meters.
- Linear mixed-effects models and likelihood ratio tests estimated within-participant relationships between throw distance and arm slot, arm speed, shoulder external rotation, and elbow varus torque.
Key Findings:
- Arm Slot: Decreased with increased throwing distance (P < .01).
- Arm Speed: Increased with increased throwing distance (P < .01).
- Shoulder External Rotation: Increased with increased throwing distance (P < .01).
- Elbow Varus Torque: Increased with each distance up to 37 meters and then remained the same at 46 meters (P < .01).
Conclusions:
- Longer distances may benefit conditioning and rehabilitation by increasing shoulder range of motion and arm speed.
- Precaution is needed as increased distances lead to greater arm rotation, arm speed, and elbow torque, with a decreased arm slot.
- These findings support the use of real-time measurement tools for monitoring elbow stress during rehabilitation.
Assessment of Throwing Arm Biomechanics with a MotusBASEBALL™ Pitching Sleeve
Study Summary: Long Toss Research in Baseball
Study Summary: Long Toss Research in BaseballBackground:
- Long-toss throws are commonly used in return-to-throw programs and for general conditioning. However, these programs are often based on conventional wisdom rather than empirical evidence.
Purpose:
- To determine if significant differences exist among commonly-used sub-maximal distance long-toss throws and mound pitching in terms of throwing arm biomechanics.
Study Design:
- Descriptive laboratory study involving 19 college baseball pitchers.
Methods:
- Participants wore a motusBASEBALL™ sleeve and sensor to measure peak elbow varus torque (VT), peak forearm angular velocity (Vmax), and peak arm-cocking angle (ACA).
- Each player completed five long-toss throws at distances of 27 meters, 37 meters, 46 meters, and 55 meters, and five pitches from a mound at regulation distance (18.4 meters).
Key Findings:
- Elbow Varus Torque (VT) and Forearm Angular Velocity (Vmax): No significant differences among throwing conditions (p < 0.05).
- Arm-Cocking Angle (ACA): Significantly increased (approximately 12°) as long-toss distance increased.
Conclusions:
- Sub-maximal distance long-toss throws (27 - 55 meters) generate high-magnitude throwing arm biomechanics that approach or exceed those generated during pitching.
- Coaches and trainers should use caution when implementing long-toss into throwing and rehabilitation programs due to the high stresses involved.
These studies provide valuable insights into the biomechanics of long-toss throws and highlight the need for individualized approaches and careful monitoring to optimize training and rehabilitation outcomes for baseball players.
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