Studies of the overhead throw are most commonly performed for the sport of baseball because every athlete in baseball must have the ability to throw well to participate in the sport. However, in the game of football the quarterback displays the same overhead throw techniques as in baseball. According to Kelly, Backus, Warren, & Williams (2002), state, “Although the football throw is similar in some respects to other overhead throwing motions, the increase weight of the football (0.42 kg versus 0.14 kg for the baseball) appears to affect shoulder position and stresses throughout the throwing motion”(837). The increase weight and shape of the football may allow for different firing patterns of the muscles that accompany the shoulder. In this study, an electromyographic (EMG) analysis was done on the overhead football throw to give quarterbacks, coaches, strength coaches, athletic trainers, and physical therapist a better understanding on how to strengthen, prevent injuries, and treat injuries of the overhead football throw.
For instance, in 2002 a study was performed using videos of quarterbacks in the National Football League (NFL) and fourteen male participants who’s skilled levels ranged from recreational athletes to collegiate level athletes who all had experience of throwing a football. First, researchers analyzed the videos of the NFL quarterbacks to break down the phases of the football throw. The phases consisted of early cocking, late cocking, acceleration, and follow-through. According to Kelly et al. (2002) state,
Early cocking was initiated at rear foot plant and continued to maximal shoulder abduction and internal rotation. Late cocking started at maximal shoulder abduction and internal rotation and ended with maximal shoulder external rotation. The acceleration phase began with maximal shoulder external rotation and ended with ball release. Finally, the follow-through was defined as the phase from ball release to maximal horizontal adduction (838).
After the phase analysis was complete, an EMG was performed on the fourteen male participants using fine-wire and surface electrodes. Each participant was allowed a total of twenty throws into a net that was approximately ten yards away. After the data was collected from the EMG analysis, researchers separated the muscles into two groups. Group I muscles which consisted of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, anterior deltoid, and middle deltoid showed static levels of activity throughout the throwing motion. These muscles in group I stabilize the shoulder during the entire throwing motion. In addition, group II muscles consisted of the subscapularis, pectoralis major, and latisimus dorsi showed more activity during the acceleration and follow-through phases. The muscles in group II are responsible for throwing velocity and deceleration of the arm during the throw.
In my opinion, I believe that this study done on the overhead football throw was well done because it broke down the football throw into four simple phases which consisted of early cocking, late cocking, acceleration, and follow-through. From the each phase, you could easily break down the movements to understand what muscles are being active through that specific phase of the throw. However, the study itself was very simplistic because it only examined what went on in the glenohumeral joint and not any other joints such at the elbow, wrist, trunk and especially the legs. I believe that the legs are the most important factor for a quarterback because the legs generated the most power in the throw and also important for balance. Just with any total body moment, it must involve the whole kinetic chain the build-up of momentum and power. Another thing that I thought was odd was that the subjects only threw from ten yards into a net. During a football game, a quarterback must throw a variety of passes which might consist of different lengths and velocities.
For instance, if I were to perform this study I would have the same idea but involve more passes of different varieties and not just throwing into a net from ten yards away. I would have the quarterback throw to an actual receive rather than a net because the study would come out to more of a realistic outcome. The receiver could run different patterns and have different displacements such as ten, twenty, and thirty yards away while the quarterback throws to him. I would also gather an EMG reading of the legs because and other joints in the body. Since, overhead throws are more associated with baseball; I believe that this study did a good job of opening up the doors to other researchers who want to explore more about the overhead football throw.
References
Kelly, B.T., Backus, S.I., Warren, R.F., & Williams, R.J. (2002). Electromyographic analysis and phase definition of the overhead football throw. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 30: 837-844. Retrieved November 9, 2008 from PubMed database.
