22 Frames of Acceleration: Why How the Arm Accelerates Matters More Than Velocity
In pitching, radar guns capture the outcome — velocity. But what they can’t show is how the throwing arm actually accelerates into release. At DVS Baseball, we’ve found that the path of arm acceleration tells us more about performance and durability than a single number on a scoreboard ever could.
Recently, we tracked a delivery using high-speed video at 240 frames per second. What we discovered was striking:
Starting velocity: 6.6 MPH
Peak velocity: 62.4 MPH
Duration: 0.09 seconds, or 22 frames of continuous acceleration
In less than a tenth of a second, the wrist accelerated smoothly through 22 frames, reaching its peak speed without a sudden jolt. This “sustained path of arm acceleration” is the type of pattern that separates pitchers who can sustain performance from those at higher risk of injury.
Why the Path Matters
A longer acceleration phase allows the pitcher’s body — legs, core, and trunk — to sequence together and support the throwing arm. The arm rides the body’s momentum, reducing the stress absorbed at the elbow and shoulder.
A shorter acceleration phase, by contrast, creates a jolt. The throwing arm is forced to carry more of the load in less time, leading to higher stress, reduced efficiency, and greater risk of injury.
The difference isn’t just mechanical. It’s foundational to long-term health and velocity sustainability.
Beyond Velocity
Velocity still matters — but it’s not the full story. Two pitchers can throw 95 MPH, but if one accelerates the arm smoothly over 22 frames and the other snaps to peak in 10 frames, their long-term outcomes will be very different.
At DVS Baseball, we believe this is the future of pitcher development: moving beyond radar gun readings to understand how the arm accelerates. By quantifying the path of acceleration, we can help pitchers throw harder, last longer, and avoid unnecessary injuries.
The Role of DVS X-Ray
With DVS X-Ray, this analysis isn’t limited to labs or MLB facilities. Using a simple mocap kit and our software, coaches and players can now capture high-speed deliveries, break down acceleration phases, and learn whether their mechanics are putting their arm at risk.
We can finally answer questions the radar gun never could:
How is the arm building velocity?
Is the acceleration path sustained and supported by the body?
Or is the arm being forced into a short, high-stress jolt?
Conclusion
22 frames of acceleration. That’s how this pitcher built from 6.6 MPH to 62.4 MPH in just 0.09 seconds.
The insight is clear: it’s not just how hard you throw — it’s how the arm accelerates. This is where performance, health, and career longevity intersect.
