Comparison of ground reaction force between baseball catchers with and without step motion before catching ball

Tomoya Takabayashi, Shinnosuke Sato, Takanori Kikumoto, Masayoshi Kubo
Purpose:

This study aimed to compare ground reaction forces with and without a step before catching the ball.

Methods:

The participants were nine right-handed experienced male catchers (Height:174.3±4.1cm, Weight:75.6±12.7kg, and at least 5 years of catching experience). Reflective markers were attached to their entire bodies. The participants performed a maximum effort throw after catching a ball using ground reaction force measurement under two conditions: with and without a step before catching the ball. Movement time was calculated from the positions of markers using a three-dimensional motion system. The analysis items included the movement time for each section and the peak values of the anterior-posterior and vertical components of ground reaction force of Throwing side lower leg (the right foot in the case of a right-handed catcher) at the moments when the ball was caught, when the right lower limb contacted the ground, and when the right and left lower limbs contacted the ground. The outcomes in the two conditions were statistically compared (α = 0.05)．

Results:

The movement time was significantly shorter with the step during the interval from catching to releasing the ball (p0.01) and during the interval from right lower limb contact with the ground to left lower limb contact with the ground (p0.01). In addition, the ground reaction force tended to be greater with the step in the anterior-posterior component of the section during the interval from catching to right leg contact with the ground (p=0.066).

Conclusion(s):

By taking a step before catching the ball, the anterior-posterior component of the ground reaction force during the interval from catching to right leg contact with the ground may affect the shortening of the movement time.

Implications:

The effect of ground reaction force may influence the shortening of movement time when taking a step before catching the ball. Therefore, it is suggested that not only the kinematics of the trunk rotation angle and foot travel distance, that we have found so far, but also kinetics such as ground reaction force are involved in shortening movement time. Additionally, it is necessary to consider the comparison of the direction and speed of the body's center of gravity movement.

Funding acknowledgements:
None
Keywords:
Baseball
Catcher
Ground reaction force
Primary topic:
Sport and sports injuries
Second topic:
Musculoskeletal: lower limb
Third topic:
Disability and rehabilitation
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
This study was approved by the ethical review committee of the affiliated institution(Niigata University of Health and Welfare).
Provide the ethics approval number:
No.18638-210630
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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