How to enjoy this summer activity without getting hurt
From little leaguers to the professionals, everyone wants to achieve the perfect pitch. A player may have their own version of throwing the ball, but it’s difficult to say if one form truly is better than another.
Whether it may be recreational or for sport, everyone is susceptible to a throwing injury based off their throwing motion if they do not follow proper mechanics. Even just the slightest incorrect motion can lead to an injury over time.
“We look at the overall body for balance, strength and flexibility as we engage these into the windup, stride, arm cocking, arm acceleration and deceleration, and follow through phases of throwing,” says Bob Reinke, a licensed athletic trainer and a certified pitching coach at Aurora Sports Health says.
Perfecting each of these mechanics are the stepping stones to ultimately possessing the perfect, and healthiest, throwing motion.
“Muscle strength, flexibility and balance, along with mechanics, are the key to injury prevention, but we have not yet reached the perfect solution,” Reinke says.
Even the best professional pitchers cannot avoid the most common injuries, such as rotator cuff tears in the shoulder, muscle strains in both the elbow and the core, and hamstring or quad injuries, due to the stress the player puts on the body.
With new research coming out every year to encourage proper mechanics and help prevent injuries for both children and adults. Reinke says learn the proper way to build the body and this will bring you closer to that pitch perfect throwing motion.
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About the Author
Charlie Bolles, health enews contributor, works on the Advocate Aurora social media team.
