Decreased Shoulder and Elbow Joint Loads During the Changeup Compared With the Fastball and Curveball in NCAA Division I Collegiate Softball Pitchers

Background: Baseball leagues have implemented pitch count and pitch type restrictions based on biomechanical concepts associated with pitch type. Softball has not yet adopted these practices, although softball pitchers continue to pitch at a high volume and learn multiple pitches at a young age. Purpose: To examine shoulder and elbow kinetics between the fastball, curveball, and changeup, as well as to provide descriptive upper extremity pain data in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) softball pitchers. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Study participants consisted of 27 female NCAA Division I softball pitchers (age, 20.2 +/- 1.9 years; height, 175.7 +/- 5.7 cm; weight, 83.6 +/- 12.7 kg). The participants pitched 3 balls of each pitch type, and kinetic data were recorded. A one-way within-participants repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences in kinetics and pitch speed between pitch types. Results: Results revealed a statistically significant main effect for pitch type (Wilks lambda = .087; F = 36.523; P < .001). Post hoc testing showed that the changeup produced less anterior elbow force compared with the fastball (P < .001) and the curveball (P = .012). In addition, the changeup produced less shoulder distraction force compared with the fastball (P < .001) and the curveball (P = .001). Additionally, there was a significant difference in pitch speed between all 3 pitch types (P = .006). The curveball revealed no statistically significant kinetic differences compared with the fastball. Conclusion: The fastball and curveball placed similar stress on the upper extremity in collegiate softball pitchers. However, in comparison with the changeup, the fastball and curveball placed increased stress on the upper extremity. More research is needed to fully explain the differences seen between pitch type and injury risk.

Automated summary

The study compared shoulder and elbow kinetics in collegiate softball pitchers between fastball, curveball, and changeup, and provided descriptive upper extremity pain data. Results indicated that changeup generated less stress on the anterior elbow force and shoulder distraction force compared to fastball and curveball, with significant differences in pitch speed among the three types. The findings suggest that fastball and curveball exert similar stress on the upper extremity, while changeup imposes less stress but further research is needed to understand the differences seen.