Female collegiate windmill pitchers: influences to injury incidence.
Few studies have examined fast-pitch softball pitchers and associated injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate injuries occurring to collegiate softball pitchers and associated influential factors. A web-based survey of 181 Division I (n = 45), II (n = 30), and III (n = 54) collegiate softball pitchers was conducted. The survey involved self-reported data from the previous year that addressed (a) demographic information, (b) pitching and game data, (c) training program information, and (d) injury reporting. Demographic information, pitching and game data, and training program information were not statistically significant (p < 0.05) in relation to injury. Descriptive statistics were used to report totals and percentages of pitchers surveyed. Among 131 reported injuries, 36 were acute, 92 chronic/overuse, and 3 unspecified. Of the total injuries, 80 were directly from pitching, with 33 shoulder-related and 16 related to the lower back. Among injured pitchers, 109 took nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 140 used modalities, 11 received surgeries, and 95 saw additional specialists. Pitchers are at a risk for injury, with 72.8% of surveyed pitchers being injured during the 2001-02 year.
Biomechanics Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47386, USA. jenhill18@hotmail.com
Jennifer L
JL
Hill
Brendan
B
Humphries
Thomas
T
Weidner
Robert U
RU
Newton
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001484:Baseball / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D049628:Body Size; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries; D012307:Risk Factors; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal