The effect of lower limbs on swinging motion in baseball

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the batting motion of skilled baseball players and unskilled novice. The batting motion, floor reaction forces acting on each foot and swing speed of 6 skilled baseball players and 6 unskilled novice were recorded using a motion capture system, two force plates and speed gun. The batting motion was divided into 4 phases: stance, pivot foot loading, swing(impact), and follow through. This study analyzed movement of the center of gravity, floor reaction force and joint moment during the batting motion, with comparison based on a player’s baseball experience. The result suggests that having a lower center of gravity is better, the footstep of batting is important.