Baseball is the common thread that binds American sports fans together in good times and bad. Playing or watching others play this staple of American culture has grown in popularity around the world, providing people with pleasure and relief. While baseball is on many people’s minds, few people are thinking about baseball biomechanics. This field of study focuses on the mechanical movements made while playing baseball, with the goal of improving these movements to prevent injury and boost performance.
When a pitcher throws a ball, a batter swings at a pitch, or an outfielder sprints to right field to catch a fly ball, a series of complex actions are in motion to assist these players in accomplishing their goals. When most people do or watch these things, they are unlikely to consider the amazing processes at work. To perform a very specific action like hitting a ball traveling at over 90 miles per hour, the contraction of a large number of muscles must be perfectly synchronized.
Baseball biomechanics, like biomechanics of any other sport, is a science based on research. It is heavily reliant on gathering information about a specific movement, sometimes through video footage. Researchers then examine these movements in both private and academic settings in order to learn more about specific motions. This could benefit a pitcher who is dealing with a reoccurring shoulder injury, a batter who is having trouble striking out, or a traumatic injury victim who wants to return to the sport he or she loves.
Through the study of related acts, baseball biomechanics can assist in each of these situations. The pitcher may be throwing in a way that puts undue strain on a specific muscle, tendon, or ligament. Understanding this can assist him in changing his or her style in a way that avoids injury. Baseball biomechanics can assist an injured player in finding a better way to walk or run, which, combined with therapy, may enable him or her to return to the diamond. Studying film can reveal a flaw in the swinging motion that leads to more missed pitches, which can be beneficial for the batter who strikes out.
The numerous applications of baseball biomechanics are obvious, and fortunately, there are many talented individuals dedicated to applying biomechanical knowledge to a variety of causes. Looking at the body as a machine may seem unrealistic, but if done correctly, it can reveal ways for everyone to improve their daily motions, including those that occur during innings.