Practical Findings

A larger hip to shoulder distance combined with peak pelvis velocity, mixed with longer delays in between foot contact and trunk velocity work together to aximize the trunk velocity, creating a moderate effect on the ball velocity. The upper-extremity kinematic variables such peak elbow extension timing velocity, peak elbow extension or shoulder IR velocity at ball release were discovered to not significantly impact ball velocity compared to trunk velocity adjustments ( Orishimo etal, 2023). The implication of those results would lead us to believe that it is possible to see an increase in the velocity of pitches without needing to modify the mechanics of the upper- extremities. In their study on the basis of collecting mean data and the regression equation a 5% increase in ball velocity can be achieved with 10% increase in the velocity. Coming that with 10 % increase across the hip-shoulder separation at foot stark, velocity in the pelvis and time from peak trunk velocity after the time the foot strikes would increase velocity of the trunk by 8%.

Across baseball throughout all levels of comeptetitions the reported numbers of injuries have gradually been on the rise for quite some time, in particular there is a trend in the number of injuries within youth in baseball compared to historically. Up wards of 74% of youth players aged 8-18 years old had reportable arm pain with 23% consistent with overuse (Conte etal, 2019). The establishment of identifying potential risk factors for injury my medical professionals, has helpe set guidelines for youth players and their support groups to adhere to. The American sports medicine institute has outplayed recommendations to recommendations to help assist in overuse injuries in high-risk activities such as pitching. (1) At least 4 months/year break from pitching, (2) adhering to pitch counts and rest days, (3) avoidance of overlapping of seasons and pitching on multiple teams, (4) not playing catcher and pitcher, (5) being multi sport athletes, (6) and the immediate halting of pitching if and when the pitcher reports any pain in the shoulder and elbow (Difiori etal,2014).

The following exercise program was designed to help youth pitchers build a base of strength that will help prevent injuries and build strength, the throwers ten exercise (Wilk etal,) adapted into this specific Throwers ten for youth program. The program has an emphasis on awareness of movement, technique, and the individuals will have frequent cues to have their scapula retracted, externally rotated and posteriorsly tilted. Performing 2 sets of 10 repetitions on every exercise with minimal to zero rest between movements, involving body weight or single piece theraband is the sequence the athletes will go through.

 

 

1.      Using a towel roll between the persons arm and side the program starts with IR and ER theraband exercise at o degrees of abduction. The idea is to slightly abduct the shoulder, and the authors advise players to use their glove as a substitute for a towel if they don't have one. The idea is to slightly abduct the shoulder, and the authors advise players to use their glove as a substitute for a towel if they don't have one.

2.      The full can uses the theraband under the foot with the knee and hip bent at 90 degrees flexion as well as trailing leg, with and upright posture and scapula and raise both arms to 30 degrees holding for 2 seconds

3.Using a threadbare beneath the floor side arm style, side-lying ER can be advanced to modified or standard side plank to test the athlete and recruit core muscles.

 

3.      The low rowing  (figure 3) and the modified robbery (figure 4) and a high row at 90 degrees abduction following up with external rotation of 90 degrees all aim to control the scapula neuromuscular muscle firing for scapula thoracic musculature.

 

 

Figure 3. Standing shoulder complex rowing  using resistance bands while in a partial squat position to activate legs & hip muscles.

                                                                                            Figure 4.Modified robbery exercise utilizing resistance bands in a partial squat position.

 

4.      
The last 2 drills work the whole kinetic chain, focusing on the weaker core and lower extremity neuro muscular coordination. Exercises like the single-leg squat or front-step down (Figure 5) can be used as a clinical exam to evaluate balance, coordination, strength, and neuromuscular control. The athlete's final exercise involves a lateral slide using a theraband, which has a high gluteus medius electromyographic activity (Figure 6).

                                                                                    Figure 5. Single leg squat to strengthen the leg but also lateral hip musculature.

                                                                Figure 6. Lateral slides with resistance band to the lateral hip musculature