Youth Baseball Pitching Stride Length: Normal Values and Correlation With Field Testing

BACKGROUND: Pitching biomechanical analysis has been recommended as an important component of performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. Normal values for youth pitching stride length have not been established, leading to application of normative values found among professional pitchers to youth pitchers. HYPOTHESES: The average youth pitching stride length will be significantly less than that of college and professional pitchers. There will be a positive correlation between stride length, lower extremity power, balance, and pitching experience. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Ninety-two youth baseball pitchers (aged 9-14 years) met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and completed the study. Stride length was recorded using a Dartfish video system over 3 maximal effort pitches. Both intra- and interrater reliability was calculated for the assessment of stride length. Double-leg vertical jump, single-leg stance time, leg length, weight, age, and pitching experience were also recorded. RESULTS: Mean (SD) stride length was 66.0% (7.1%) of height. Stride length was correlated (P < 0.01) with vertical jump (0.38), pitching experience (0.36), and single-leg balance (0.28), with excellent intra- and interrater reliability (0.985 or higher). No significant correlations between stride length and body weight, leg length, or age existed. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant difference between youth pitching stride length and the current published norms for older and more elite throwers. There was a positive correlation between stride length and lower extremity power, pitching experience, and single-leg balance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Two-dimensional analysis of stride length allows for the assessment of pitching biomechanics in a practical manner. These values can be used for return to pitching parameters after an injury and designing injury prevention and performance programs.