Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant: The Effects of Forelimb Anatomy on Throwing Performance: a Biomechanical Analysis

该项目研究人类进化过程中身体的变化如何影响投掷能力。人类在灵长类动物中是独一无二的，能够以极高的精度和速度投掷物体。这种能力可能帮助我们的祖先狩猎和保护自己。 为了更好地了解人类投掷能力的进化和生物力学基础，本研究调查了手臂，肩膀和背部骨骼形状的变化如何影响投掷性能。研究人员正在使用高速3D摄像系统收集投掷过程中身体如何移动的数据。然后，他们将使用一个定制的计算机程序来分解和检查投掷过程中每个身体部位的单独运动。这些数据将从大量手臂、肩膀和背部解剖结构不同的个人样本中收集。此外，限制性支架将被用来改变投掷运动在控制的方式。这些操作将使我们能够评估躯干和手臂的不同组成部分对速度和准确性的贡献。该项目采用跨学科的方法，结合人类学，生物学，物理学和运动医学方面，以解决人体解剖学的不同方面如何与投掷性能。更好地理解这种关系不仅会提高我们对人类进化的理解，而且还有助于我们了解投掷运动员的伤害是如何发生的。

This project studies how changes in the body that occurred during human evolution affect the ability to throw well. Humans are unique among primates in being able to throw objects with both great precision and speed. This ability may have helped our ancestors hunt and defend themselves. To better understand the evolution and biomechanical bases for human throwing capabilities, this study investigates how changes in the shape of the bones in the arms, shoulders and back affect throwing performance. The researchers are collecting data on how the body moves during a throw using a high speed, 3D camera system. They will then use a custom written computer program to break down and examine the individual motions of each body part during that throw. These data will be collected from a large sample of individuals who vary in the anatomy of their arms, shoulders and back. In addition, restrictive braces will be used to alter the throwing motion in controlled ways. These manipulations will allow us to assess how different components of the trunk and arms contribute to speed and accuracy. This project uses an interdisciplinary approach combining aspects of anthropology, biology, physics and sports medicine to address how different aspects of human anatomy relate to throwing performance. A better understanding of this relationship will improve not only our understanding of human evolution, but will also contribute to our knowledge of how injury occurs in throwing athletes.