Relationship of Shoulder Internal and External Rotation Peak Force and Rate of Force Development to Throwing Velocity in High School and Collegiate Pitchers

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to characterize the difference between high school (HS) and collegiate pitcher’s throwing velocity, shoulder internal (IR) and external rotator (ER) maximum strength (Fmax) and rate of force development (RFD) and explore relationships between these measures. Competitive HS and collegiate pitchers (n = 26) participated in a single session assessment in which shoulder rotator isometric Fmax and RFD were quantified via a portable strain gauge device and throwing velocity via radar. Paired t-tests, stepwise linear regression models and correlational analyses were used to answer the questions of interest. No significant differences (p > 0.05) in pitching velocity were observed between HS and collegiate pitchers, and all pitchers were pooled into one sample for subsequent analyses. For both IR and ER models, the explained variance of Fmax with throwing velocity was small (R2 = 0.12–0.13). RFD and arm length did not contribute to the models. Large correlations (r ≥ 0.50; p < 0.001) were observed between IR and ER for Fmax and RFD measures, as well as between Fmax and RFD for IR and ER. In terms of throwing velocity, having strong IR and ER Fmax capabilities would seem more important than the ability to express force quickly in this cohort.