{"id":3910,"date":"2015-06-29T20:43:02","date_gmt":"2015-06-29T20:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/?p=3910"},"modified":"2016-08-15T02:31:46","modified_gmt":"2016-08-15T02:31:46","slug":"could-video-technology-help-prevent-injuries-in-young-pitchers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/could-video-technology-help-prevent-injuries-in-young-pitchers\/","title":{"rendered":"Could video technology help prevent injuries in young pitchers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sakiko Oyama<\/a>, The University of Texas at San Antonio<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

These days, it seems like elbow surgery for pitchers is a rite of passage.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s stars like Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez or lesser-known players like Colorado Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino, the number of pitchers going under the knife to correct torn elbow ligaments \u2013 so-called Tommy John surgery \u2013 continues to rise<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To date, 988<\/a> of these procedures have been performed. But in recent years, numbers have skyrocketed. Today, 25%<\/a> of major league pitchers have had the procedure done, while 40%<\/a> of all Tommy John surgeries are being performed on adolescent ballplayers.<\/p>\n

In order to better understand this trend, it\u2019s important to look at when most professional players began playing the game: as kids.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s become increasingly common<\/a> among youth sport participants to specialize in a sport at a young age. For baseball players, this means picking a position and sticking to it. And if you\u2019ve decided to be a pitcher, it means putting added mileage on the bones and ligaments of a developing arm.<\/p>\n

As the numbers show, many are paying the price with surgery down the road. But this is far from inevitable; existing research \u2013 along with recent research I conducted with colleagues \u2013 presents simple techniques and practices that could help young pitchers avoid injury.<\/p>\n

The stress of throwing<\/h2>\n

While pitching is a whole-body movement, most of the injuries in pitchers take place at the shoulder and elbow joints. This happens because during a pitcher\u2019s stride, the momentum produced by the powerful muscles in the legs and trunk is funneled to the throwing arm.<\/p>\n

The momentum transferred to the arm causes the arm to rotate backwards \u2013 to the point where the forearm becomes near or past parallel to the ground \u2013 and then rotate forward in a whip-like motion.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Roger Clemens’ throwing motion, frame by frame.<\/span>
\nM&R Glasgow\/flickr<\/a>, CC BY<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Accordingly, the pitching movement creates a great amount of stress on bones, ligaments, capsules and muscles that make up shoulder and elbow joints, and any of these structures can become damaged. The surface of the bone (the cartilage) may become worn out, growth plates may become damaged, and ligaments and muscles may weaken or tear. Youth pitchers are susceptible to growth plate injuries since their growth plates are still open.<\/p>\n

Pitchers’ joints experience constant stress over the course of games, seasons and years of playing. For this reason, it\u2019s not uncommon to see pitchers with damage<\/a> to the cartilage, growth plate or tendons even when they\u2019re not experiencing any joint pain<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As the innings add up, the arm wears down. Research shows<\/a> that pitchers who pitch more than 100 innings over the course of a year and pitchers who pitch in multiple leagues at the same time have higher risk of injury. In addition, throwing with a fatigued arm, playing baseball year-round, and pitching for traveling teams and in showcase tournaments are all linked<\/a> to arm injuries.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also been more heightened awareness of arm injuries in the medical community, which has led to more diagnoses. Injuries that used to be considered general joint pain and soreness are now being correctly identified as injuries.<\/p>\n

Pitching smart<\/h2>\n

While some level of deterioration is impossible to avoid, recent research has identified a number of ways young pitchers can improve their chances of avoiding major injuries that require surgery, which can sideline pitchers for over a year.<\/p>\n

To protect a young pitcher\u2019s arm, there are three important things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n