Biomechanics and Kinetics of Elbow

Position in the Baseball Swing

By: Samantha Erosa
 Overview
• Objective: Analyze two different swings:
– ‘regular’ elbow versus ‘chicken wing’ elbow
– Disclaimer: My natural swing utilizes the ‘regular’ elbow position.
• Which position produces the best results?
• Analysis from three positions:
– Elbow
– Bat
– ball
• Elbow measured from highest position (after loading phase).
• Equipment:
– Sanyo High Speed Camera (240 frames/second)
– Easton Softball Bat [33 inches(.838 m), 23 oz (.652 kg)]
– 11 inch softball [6.0oz (.17 kg)]
 Phases of the Swing

1. Stance Phase 2. Loading Phase 3. Launching Phase 4. Follow-Through

• Feet and hand •Backward movement •Continuation of timing •After contact
of shoulders and arms step.
position vary. •Backward rotation of •Opening of the hips.
•Hips open
• Balanced and the spine •Forward rotation of completely
weight evenly •Beginning of the timing spine. toward pitcher.
distributed. step. •Pushing and pulling •Stiff front leg
• Personal •The cocking of the action of the arms and •Full Arm
hips. shoulders.
preference. •Cocking of the wrists •Guiding action of the extension
hands on the bat.
 Muscles Involved

2. Loading Phase 3. Launching Phase 4. Follow-Through

1. Stance Phase •Pectoralis major •External/internal •Elbow extensors
• Preparation of muscle, trapezius hip rotators. •Forearm pronates
muscle usage. muscle, supraspinatus, •Pelvis muscles,
and middle deltoid
•Forearm supinates
forearm muscles
muscles. •Quadriceps
•Lateral spine rotators •Abdomen
•Big muscles on thigh •Lateral spine
and buttocks. rotators
•External hip rotators.
•Bicep/Tricep
•Flexor carpi radialis,
flexor carpi ulnaris
 Significance of the Elbow
• Common advice: “Keep your back elbow up!”
– Elbow down: direction of force for the top hand is directed toward the pitcher.
• Driving of the top hand puts the elbow directly in the ‘slot’ and results in a
good driving position.
• Like throwing a punch.
• Elbow up: more elevated position to snap the bat head further back during the
loading phase.
• Goal is to achieve maximum torque during launching phase.
• Greater source of error: causes hitters to drop their back shoulder instead
of getting into a good driving position.
• Results in an ‘upper cut’ or ‘loopy’ swing.
At contact, the hitter ideally wants the elbow as close to the body as possible. This
position of the elbow allows for concentration of force and energy needed for
‘explosion’ of the swing. Lose massive amounts of energy and power with
elbow away from the body. With elbow far from the body, the hitter loses
energy which translates into weaker contact with the ball.
 Elbow Positions
Regular Elbow Position Chicken Wing Elbow Position

Calculated Angle: Calculated Angle:

sin-1 (.1739/.3164) = 33.34° sin-1 (.3582/.8248) =25.74°
Regular Elbow position
Elbow Velocity
Elbow Acceleration
Bat Velocity
Bat Acceleration
Ball Velocity
Blurry ball
Ball Acceleration
At contact
 Calculations: Regular Elbow
• Elbow:
– Max velocity: 5.91 m/s
– Max acceleration: 66.638 m/s2
• Bat- .838 m & .652 kg :
• Max velocity: 22.181 m/s
– KE= ½ mv2 = ½ (.652 kg)(22.181 m/s2)2 = 160.39 J
– ρ= mv = (.652 kg)(22.181 m/s)= 14.46 kg*m/s
• Max acceleration: 161.171 m/s2
– F= ma= (.652 kg)(161.171 m/s2)= 105.08 N
• Ball- .17 kg :
– Max velocity: 28.257 m/s
• KE= ½ mv2 = ½ (.17 kg)(28.257 m/s)2 =67.87 J
• ρ= mv = (.17 kg)(28.257 m/s)= 4.8 kg*m/s
– Max acceleration: 415.051 m/s2
• F= ma = (.17 kg)(415.051 m/s2)= 70.56 N
 Calculations: At Contact
• Elbow:
– velocity: 3.045 m/s
– acceleration: 21.520 m/s2
• Bat- .838 m & .652 kg :
• velocity: 18.842 m/s
– KE= ½ mv2 = ½ (.652 kg)(18.842 m/s2)2 = 115.74 J
– ρ= mv = (.652 kg)(18.842 m/s)= 12.28 kg*m/s
• acceleration: 133.874 m/s2
– F= ma= (.652 kg)(133.874 m/s2)= 87.29 N
• Ball- .17 kg :
– velocity: 17.055 m/s
• KE= ½ mv2 = ½ (.17 kg)(17.055 m/s)2 =24.72 J
• ρ= mv = (.17 kg)(17.055 m/s)= 2.9 kg*m/s
– acceleration: 415.051 m/s2
• F= ma = (.17 kg)(415.051 m/s2)= 70.56 N
Chicken Wing Elbow
Elbow Velocity
Elbow Acceleration
Bat Velocity
Bat Acceleration
Ball Velocity
Ball Acceleration
At contact
 Calculations: Chicken Wing Elbow
• Elbow:
– Max velocity: 7.097 m/s
– Max acceleration: 48.203 m/s2
• Bat- .838 m & .652 kg :
• Max velocity: 23.081 m/s
– KE= ½ mv2 = ½ (.652 kg)(23.081 m/s2)2 = 173.67 J
– ρ= mv = (.652 kg)(23.081 m/s)= 15.05 kg*m/s
• Max acceleration: 204.055 m/s2
– F= ma= (.652 kg)(204.055 m/s2)= 133.04 N
• Ball- .17 kg :
– Max velocity: 22.643 m/s
• KE= ½ mv2 = ½ (.17 kg)(22.643 m/s)2 =43.58 J
• ρ= mv = (.17 kg)(22.643 m/s)= 3.85 kg*m/s
– Max acceleration: 364.526 m/s2
• F= ma = (.17 kg)(364.526 m/s2)= 61.97 N
 Calculations: At Contact
•Elbow:
–velocity: 3.642 m/s
–acceleration: 13.740m/s2
•Bat- .838 m & .652 kg :
•velocity: 19.678 m/s
–KE= ½ mv2 = ½ (.652 kg)(19.678 m/s2)2 = 126.23 J
–ρ= mv = (.652 kg)(19.678 m/s)= 12.83 kg*m/s
•acceleration: 162.120 m/s2
–F= ma= (.652 kg)(162.120 m/s2)= 105.70 N
•Ball- .17 kg :
–velocity: 11.061 m/s
•KE= ½ mv2 = ½ (.17 kg)(11.061 m/s)2 =10.40 J
•ρ= mv = (.17 kg)(11.061 m/s)= 1.88 kg*m/s
–acceleration: 330.899 m/s2
•F= ma = (.17 kg)(330.899 m/s2)= 56.25 N
 Comparison of Calculations
‘Regular’ Elbow Position ‘Chicken Wing’ Elbow Position
Elbow: Elbow:
• max velocity: 5.91 m/s • max velocity: 7.097 m/s
• max acceleration: 66.638 m/s2 • max acceleration: 48.203 m/s2
Bat: Bat:
• max velocity: 22.181 m/s • max velocity: 23.081 m/s
• max acceleration: 161.171 m/s2 • max acceleration: 204.055 m/s2
• KE= 160.39 J • KE= 173.67 J
• F= 105.08 N • F= 133.04 N
• ρ= 14.46 kg*m/s • ρ= 15.05 kg*m/s
Ball: Ball:
• max velocity: 28.257 m/s • max velocity: 22.643 m/s
• max acceleration: 415.051 m/s2 • max acceleration: 364.526 m/s2
• KE= 67.87 J • KE= 43.58 J
• F= 70.56 N • F= 61.97 N
• ρ= 4.8 kg*m/s • ρ= 3.85 kg*m/s
***These quantities for elbow and bat position are reflective of the ideal contact
location. It is at this position that the most force and energy transfer to the ball will occur.
 Comparison of Calculations- At
Contact
‘Regular’ Elbow Position ‘Chicken Wing’ Elbow Position
Elbow: Elbow:
• velocity: 3.045 m/s • velocity: 3.642 m/s
• acceleration: 21.520 m/s2 • acceleration: 13.740 m/s2
Bat: Bat:
• velocity: 18.842 m/s • velocity: 19.678 m/s
• acceleration: 133.874 m/s2 • acceleration: 162.120 m/s2
• KE= 115.74 J • KE= 126.23 J
• F= 87.29 N • F= 105.70 N
• ρ= 12.281 kg*m/s • ρ= 12.83 kg*m/s
Ball:
Ball: • velocity: 11.061 m/s
• velocity: 17.055 m/s
• acceleration: 330.899 m/s2
• acceleration: 415.051 m/s2
• KE= 10.40 J
• KE= 24.72 J
• F= 56.25N
• F= 70.56 N
• ρ= 1.88 kg*m/s
• ρ= 2.9 kg*m/s
As expected for the ‘chicken wing’ elbow, more force and energy is generated just before
contact in comparison to the ‘regular’ elbow swing. However, due to the ‘upper cut’ less
force and energy was transferred to the ball.
Does Chicken Wing Provide Extra Torque?
Regular Elbow Position
Chicken Wing Elbow
 Torque: Pre-Contact
Assume that the force on the bat is perpendicular to the shoulder pivot point.
Center of mass of bat is roughly around 22 in (.588 m)
Regular Elbow Position: Chicken Wing Elbow Position:
Force=F= 87.29 N Force=F= 105.70 N
Lever arm=r= .4841 m Lever arm=r= .4451 m
Ƭ= r*F= (87.29 N)*(.4841)= 42.26 N*m Ƭ= r*F= (105.70 N)*(.4451)= 47.05 N*m
 Which hit would go farther? (Hypothetically- constant
acceleration, no wind resistance, ideal projectile motion )
Regular Elbow Position Chicken Wing Elbow Position

Projected Angle: Projected Angle:

Sin-1 (.3377/1.912) = 10.17°
-velocity: 17.055 m/s
vfy = viy + ay *t= 0=17.055*sin(10.17)- 9.8*t
t =.307 so, 2*t =.614
xf = vix *t= 17.055*cos(10.17)*.614= 10.31 m
=33.8 ft
-Driving position enabled solid contact- line
drive.
sin-1 (.6005/1.899) = 18.43°
velocity: 11.061 m/s
vfy = viy+ ay*t=0=11.061*sin(18.43)-9.8*t
t =.357 so, 2*t = .714
xf= vix*t=11.061*cos(18.43)*.714= 7.49 m
=24.6 ft
-Dropped shoulder resulting in poor
contact- pop up.
 Conclusions
• The ‘chicken wing’ elbow position does in fact generate more force and kinetic
energy. This position also creates more torque. However, this position results
in a ‘loopy’ and ‘upper cutting’ bat path that makes contact less direct.
– More likely to hit a pop up.
• The ‘regular’ elbow position generates less force and kinetic energy but due to
the driving bat path, is able to make solid contact with the ball and result in
more energy transfer than the ‘chicken wing’ swing.
– More likely to hit line drives.
• Further investigations:
– Study torque more closely. Difficult to view the motion with the limited perspective of
the camera. Also, Logger Pro doesn’t have capabilities to determine exact angles or
angular motion.
– Also will be interesting to analyze the lower body. Project was limited to the effects of
the upper body in the swing but the energy originates from the lower half and is
transferred into the upper body.
 Tips for Hitting
• Keep the elbow below the shoulder position.
• Provides greater driving mechanism as opposed to ‘upper
cutting’ the ball and hitting a pop up.
• Let the ball get deep for maximum energy
transfer and force application.
• Keep elbow as close to the body as possible.
– If not, you will lose critical energy during the pivot
portion of the swing which results in less torque.
 References
• Van Such, Larry. "Developing Bat Speed and Power in the Baseball Swing:
How To Swing The Bat For More Speed and Power." Athletic
Quickness. Web. 14 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.athleticquickness.com/bat_speed_power_baseballswi
ng_4.asp>.
• Mankin, Jack. "BatSpeed.com_Baseball and Softball Swing Hitting
Mechanics." Bat Speed. Web. 14 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.batspeed.com/tf09.html>.