A Study of the Baseball Swing Through Motion Capture

Overview

About this study

The primary aim of this study is to develop a deeper understanding of the kinetics and kinematics of the baseball swing.  Secondary aims include: describing the relative stress/forces across major lower extremity joints and spine during the baseball swing, assessing the intra- and inter-batter variability in the swing, determining how kinetics/kinematics vary across different batting scenarios, determining how kinetics/kinematics vary across different batting efforts, correlating swing kinetics with bat velocity, correlating swing kinetics with ball exit velocity, assessing the validity and reliability of various wearable devices compared to motion capture, determining the impact of bat weight on swing kinetics/kinematics, determining the impact of ball weight on swing kinetics/kinematics, assessment of eye tracking, and comparison of male baseball swing to female softball swing.

 

 

Traditionally, batting mechanics have been analyzed qualitatively during direct observation or by viewing video tapes of batting motions.  More recently, sophisticated motion analysis systems have facilitated the collection of quantitative, three-dimensional kinematic information of the batting motion.  These advancements provide the opportunity for more detailed analyses of batting motions that can be integrated into the evaluation and treatment of baseball batters at the Mayo Clinic, with the hypothesis that metrics gathered from the force plates and motion capture are more reliable than the Motus wearables.

 

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 15-30 years inclusive.
  • Male gender.
  • Active participation in collegiate level baseball as a batter.
  •  Unrestrictive baseball participation.
  • No current musculoskeletal complaints for which the subject is being treated.
  • Full pain-free range of motion (ROM) of the bilateral upper and lower limbs.
  • Willingness to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria: 

  • Current upper limb, lower limb, or spine musculoskeletal pain complaint for which the subject is taking prescribed medication, has modified activity, or received treatment from a medical care provider.
  • Known neurological, visual, or vestibular disease affecting balance or coordination.
  • Congenital deformity of the neck, upper extremity, or lower extremity.
  • Congenital or acquired scoliosis or significant thoracic kyphosis (>30 degrees).
  • History of connective tissue disease (defined as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or a seronegative spondylarthropathy).

Eligibility last updated 2/27/23. Questions regarding updates should be directed to the study team contact.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Christopher Camp, M.D.

Open for enrollment

Contact information:

Christine Deml CCRP

(507) 266-0984

Deml.Christine@mayo.edu

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available