Single-Leg Squat Compensations Are Associated With Softball Pitching Pathomechanics in Adolescent Softball Pitchers

Background: A lack of lumbopelvic-hip complex (LPHC) stability is often associated with altered pitching mechanics, thus increasing pain and injury susceptibility. The single-leg squat (SLS) is a simple diagnostic tool used to examine LPHC stability.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between trunk compensatory kinematics during the SLS and kinematics at foot contact during the windmill pitch.

Study design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods: Participants included 55 youth and high school softball pitchers (mean age, 12.6 ± 2.2 years; height, 160.0 ± 11.0 cm; weight, 60.8 ± 15.5 kg). Kinematic data were collected at 100 Hz using an electromagnetic tracking device. Participants were asked to complete an SLS on each leg, then throw 3 fastballs at maximal effort. Values of trunk flexion, trunk lateral flexion, and trunk rotation at peak depth of the SLS were used as the dependent variables in 3 separate backward-elimination regression analyses. Independent variables examined at foot contact of the pitch were as follows: trunk flexion, trunk lateral flexion, trunk rotation, center of mass, stride length, and stride knee valgus.

Results: The SLS trunk rotation regression (F(1,56) = 4.980, P = .030) revealed that trunk flexion predicted SLS trunk rotation (SE = 0.068, t = 2.232, P = .030) and explained approximately 7% of the variance in SLS trunk rotation (R ² = 0.083, adjusted R ² = 0.066). The SLS trunk flexion regression (F(1,56) = 5.755, P = 0.020) revealed that stride knee valgus significantly predicted SLS trunk flexion (SE = 0.256, t = 2.399, P = .020) and explained approximately 8% of variance in SLS trunk flexion (R ² = 0.095, adjusted R ² = 0.078).

Conclusion: Additional trunk rotation and trunk flexion at peak depth of the SLS showed increased knee valgus and trunk flexion at foot contact of the pitch, both of which indicate poor LPHC stability during the softball pitch and may increase the potential for injury.

Clinical relevance: Players and coaches should implement SLS analyses to determine their players' risk for injury and compensation due to poor core stability.