: Analyzing the Costs The stages of throwing in an overhead athlete are well known and have been studied exhaustively.
: Analyzing the Costs The stages of throwing in an overhead athlete are well known and have been studied exhaustively. Despite all of the studies on throwing motion, up to 30% of youth baseball players have shoulder or elbow injuries and 73-79% of these injuries are due to pitching. The average velocity of a fastball in the MLB has increased from 90.9 MPH in 2008 to 93.2 mph in 2017.
This has led to a renewed interest in studies looking at how to increase pitching velocity. However, there has been an increase in UCL injuries most commonly observed in the MLB pitchers that throw the hardest and who subsequently are the most likely to have UCL reconstruction. Illustration of the phases of throwing Review of throwing cycle.
The throwing cycle is broken down into the windup, early cocking/stride, late cocking, acceleration, deceleration, and follow through. The purpose of these steps is to generate and transfer energy and momentum from the lower extremity to the release of the baseball. This energy transfer process is known as the kinetic chain.
The wind-up begins with the first leg movement and ends when the lead leg reaches maximum knee height. This is a low risk step for pitcher injuries. The second step, known as early cocking, occurs from maximum knee height to lead foot contact with the ground.
After lead foot contact occurs, the pitcher enters the late cocking phase which ends when the pitcher reaches maximum external rotation of the shoulder. Once maximum external rotation is achieved, the pitcher enters the acceleration phase which ends when the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand. The final phase is deceleration, which is completed when the arm reaches maximum internal rotation and shoulder adduction.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to increasing throwing velocity in baseball pitchers: what is the cost?, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
Connect with a doctor, physical therapist, or imaging center near you.
Find a Provider Near You →