The relationship between trunk rotation strength and throwing ball velocity among female collegiate softball players

Abstract

The throwing ball velocity is one of the most important skill required in numerous sports, such as softball. Throwing can be considered as an essential technique since softball players must implement this skill to prevent opponents from advancing and acquiring more points. The movement of throwing involves the power generated from lower extremities, mediated by trunk rotation, which moves onwards to the upper extremities. Trunk rotation is assumed to play a crucial role in increasing ball velocity through the throwing movement sequence. However, studies that highlight the relationship between trunk rotation and throwing ball velocity remain lacking. This research determines the relationship between trunk rotation strength and throwing ball velocity among female collegiate softball players. 72 female softball players from Universiti Teknologi MARA are selected to participate in this research. All participants are tested using the trunk rotation strength test and throwing ball velocity test. The recorded scores of both tests are analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient to identify the relationship between the two variables. The result shows the relationship between these two variables is r=.53 indicates that there is strong relationship between the trunk rotation strength and throwing ball velocity (r