What Force Plate Testing Reveals About Softball Pitching Performance

What if one of the biggest performance upgrades in softball pitching wasn’t mechanical, technical, or even strength-based?

In a new force-plate study, an AUSL professional softball pitcher was tested under two footwear conditions: SQAIRZ performance footwear and New Balance athletic footwear. Using SensorEdge force plate technology, researchers measured how each shoe affected explosive force production, stride mechanics, front-leg bracing, and overall kinetic chain efficiency.

The results were striking.

(Access the full study here.)

Understanding the Kinetic Chain in Softball Pitching

Before the arm ever moves, force is generated through the feet, then transferred up through the ankles, knees, hips, trunk, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and finally into the ball. This chain reaction is called the kinetic chain.

When that chain flows smoothly, pitchers generate more velocity with better control and less stress on the arm. When it breaks down, energy leaks occur — reducing speed, consistency, and increasing injury risk.

Footwear plays a critical role because it directly affects the first and most important link: how the foot interacts with the ground.

Why Ground Reaction Force Matters

Ground reaction force (GRF) is the force the ground sends back when an athlete drives into it. Higher-quality GRF allows pitchers to generate explosive push-off, stabilize more effectively at landing, and sequence their body segments in the correct order.

Better GRF leads to: efficient energy transfer
Stronger front-leg bracing
Improved timing and sequencing
Reduced stress on the shoulder and elbow

Force Plate Comparison Data

Here’s what the force plate analysis revealed when comparing SQAIRZ to New Balance:

What the Numbers Mean

The most striking result was impulsiveness — a measurement of how quickly force is generated.

Wearing SQAIRZ, the pitcher produced approximately 45% greater impulsiveness, meaning she created force dramatically faster. Faster force production translates directly to improved explosiveness and velocity.

Front-leg bracing was also significantly higher in SQAIRZ. Stronger bracing allows the body to convert forward momentum into rotational power, which is essential for high-level pitching.

Interestingly, the New Balance condition showed a longer stride length but far lower force production. This suggests overstriding(reaching farther without generating enough force) which often leads to energy leaks and higher joint stress.

Why Stability Beats Stride Length

Many athletes are taught to chase longer stride lengths. But force plate data continues to show that what matters most is how effectively athletes brace and stabilize at landing.

When the front leg can firmly block and stabilize, the body can efficiently rotate and transfer energy into the ball. Without proper bracing, velocity is lost and stress shifts upward into the arm.

SQAIRZ footwear supports this process by providing a roomier toe platform, enhanced ground contact, and improved stability. This allows pitchers to apply force more aggressively and consistently, leading to cleaner sequencing and more repeatable mechanics.

Why SQAIRZ Is Not Part of the Uniform

Uniform items exist for appearance and compliance. Performance equipment exists to improve outcomes.

This force plate analysis objectively confirms that footwear choice directly alters key performance variables including explosive output, front-leg bracing, and stride efficiency.

That means shoes actively influence how athletes move, generate power, and stay healthy. This is why SQAIRZ is designed as performance optimization equipment, not a uniform accessory.

What This Means for Parents

For parents, this research reinforces that footwear is a functional investment in performance and durability.

Better stability and force transfer can help young athletes throw harder, stay more consistent, and reduce unnecessary stress on growing joints.

What This Means for Coaches

For coaches, the data provides objective evidence that stability and bracing matter more than stride length alone.

Instead of cueing athletes to simply reach farther, improving their connection to the ground may unlock better results with fewer mechanical changes.

What This Means for Players

For players, the takeaway is simple: real performance gains can come from improving your foundation.

By enhancing how your feet interact with the ground, you create cleaner sequencing, stronger bracing, and more efficient movement patterns — all without rebuilding your mechanics.

That’s where SQAIRZ delivers its advantage.