Developing the Pitch Efficiency Rating - a tool to support the health and development of athletes in our communities

Injuries are increasingly common in young baseball players due to the intense physical demands of pitching. While advanced tools like three-dimensional (3D) motion capture can help analyze and optimize pitching mechanics, they aren't widely available to medical professionals, coaches, and athletes at a community level. This gap between research and practical application led to the development of the Pitch Efficiency Rating (PER). The PER identifies 12 biomechanical variables in the scientific literature associated with increased injury risk in throwing athletes. Utilizing these risk factors, the PER has been developed as a systematic approach to provide accessible biomechanical analysis in the community. A new study tested the PER's reliability in assessing pitching mechanics. While findings regarding reliability were mixed, this initial study lays the framework for the ongoing development of tools to support the health and performance on young athletes.

As such, the PER shows promise as a practical tool for evaluating young pitchers but needs further refinement to ensure consistent use. Continued research will focus on making the PER reliable across all raters and suitable for broader demographic groups, aiming to reduce injuries through better training and mentoring of young athletes

This study, which is online now in PM&R, was supported by the AMSSM Young Investigators Grant.Charles Kenyon, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor, worked on the study with colleagues from other institutions, including Principle Investigator Robert Bowers, DO, of Emory Healthcare.