透過腰骨盆控制增進投球表現：棒球投手之評估、訓練系統開發與訓練成效

Abstract

研究背景：棒球投手在比賽中經常面臨由於重複動作與高強度所導致的投擲傷害風險。研究指出，腰椎骨盆區域為投球動作的核心連結，負責將下肢產生的力量有效傳遞至上肢。若控制不良，將導致能量傳遞中斷、動作代償與受傷風險上升。雖已有多項訓練方法針對腰椎骨盆控制設計，惟多數缺乏即時回饋機制，限制其訓練效果。 研究目的： 本研究有三個目的如下，目的一為探討腰椎骨盆控制對於棒球投手投球表現之影響；目的二為探究腰椎骨盆控制訓練之即時生物回饋系統之效度和信度；目的三為確定即時生物回饋腰椎骨盆控制訓練對於改善棒球投手之腰椎骨盆控制和投球表現之效果。 研究設計：橫斷式研究，控制實驗研究，以及前瞻式介入研究 研究方法： 本研究方法分述如下，目的一方法是棒球投手將接受腰椎骨盆控制測試和投球球速之評估；目的二方法是比對受試者在即時生物回饋系統和光學動作分析系統下，在腰椎骨盆動作時系統量測之信效度；目的三方法是將所招募之棒球投手分配到有即時回饋組及無即時回饋組。兩組受試者將接受為期六週之腰椎骨盆控制訓練。

研究結果與討論： 目的一研究結果顯示，跨步腳側的腰椎骨盆控制穩定度與投球速度呈高度相關，穩定度愈佳者球速愈快。目的二研究結果顯示，所開發之即時生物回饋系統與光學系統在骨盆三個方向的角度皆有中度至高度相關，且測量具良好之重測信度。目的三研究結果顯示，經過六週訓練後，即時回饋組在單腳橋式、單腳站立、下肢神經肌肉表現與投球速度等指標皆有顯著進步，特別是在骨盆穩定性與偏移角度控制方面，表現優於無即時回饋組。雖然球速明顯提升，但肘部負荷指標並未增加，顯示本訓練可在不加重肘部負擔的情況下有效促進投球表現與動作控制能力的提升。本研究發現整合即時回饋機制之訓練可作為動作控制調整與運動表現監控之依據，未來亦具潛力應用於投擲運動員之傷害預防與傷後復健介入中。 結論：本研究證實，腰椎骨盆控制能力與棒球投手的投球表現高度相關。研究中所研發的即時生理回饋系統，展現出良好的效度與信度。進一步地，將此系統應用於投手訓練中，經六週的訓練後，可顯著提升骨盆控制能力、下肢神經肌肉表現及投球速度。由此可見，系統具備作為投手訓練與傷害預防之臨床工具的潛力。

Background: Baseball pitchers are at a higher risk of overuse injuries because they frequently perform repetitive, high-intensity motions. The lumbopelvic region is a crucial link in the kinetic chain, allowing efficient force transmission from the lower body to the upper body during pitching. Poor lumbopelvic control may interrupt this transmission, impair performance, and increase injury risk. While various training strategies target this region, most lack real-time biomechanical feedback to guide corrective adjustments. Aim: The aims of this study are as follows. Aim 1 is to determine the effects of lumbopelvic control on pitching performance in baseball pitchers; Aim 2 is to investigate the validity and reliability of the real-time biofeedback system for lumbopelvic control training; Aim 3 is to determine the effectiveness of a real-time biofeedback training for lumbopelvic control on improving lumbopelvic control and pitching performance in baseball pitchers. Design: Cross-sectional, controlled laboratory, and prospective interventional study

Methods: The methods of this study were as follows. Aim 1 was that baseball pitchers underwent the assessments of lumbopelvic control and pitching performance; Aim 2 was that participants performed the lumbopelvic control movements under the real-time biofeedback system and the optical motion analysis system; Aim 3 was that baseball pitchers were assigned to either the real-time biofeedback group or the non-biofeedback group. Both groups engaged in a six-week program focusing on lumbopelvic control. Results and discussion: For Aim 1, frontal plane lumbopelvic control of the stride leg showed a strong correlation with pitching velocity, indicating that better pelvic stability was associated with higher ball speed. For Aim 2, the real-time biofeedback system demonstrated moderate to strong correlations with the optical motion analysis system and showed excellent test-retest reliability across the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes. For Aim 3, after the six-week intervention, the real-time biofeedback group showed significant improvements in single-leg bridge, single-leg stance, lower limb neuromuscular performance, and pitching velocity. Importantly, although the pitching speed increased notably, there was no corresponding rise in elbow joint load. This suggests that the training successfully improved pitching performance and motor control while avoiding additional stress on the elbow joint. These results highlight the potential of integrating real-time feedback into training programs as a foundation for improving movement control and monitoring athletic performance. Moreover, such an approach may be valuable for injury prevention and post-injury rehabilitation in throwing athletes. Conclusions: This study established a strong connection between lumbopelvic control and pitching performance in baseball pitchers. The real-time biofeedback system developed in this research demonstrated good validity and reliability. Furthermore, when incorporated into a six-week training program, the system effectively improved pelvic control, lower limb neuromuscular performance, and pitching velocity. These findings indicate that the system could be a valuable clinical tool for training pitchers and preventing injuries.