Scientific Proof – Injury Incidence of Female Collegiate Windmill Pitchers Studied

Illinois Pitcher Monica Perry, 4 of 5

Few studies have examined fast-pitch softball pitchers and associated injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate injuries occurring to collegiate softball pitchers and associated influential factors. A web-based survey of 181 Division I, II, and III collegiate softball pitchers was conducted. The survey involved self-reported data from the previous year that addressed Pitcher information, pitching and game data, training program information, and injury reporting. These information were not statistically significant in relation to injury. Descriptive statistics were used to report totals and percentages of pitchers surveyed. Among 131 reported injuries, 36 were acute, 92 chronic/overuse, and 3 unspecified. Of the total injuries, 80 were directly from pitching, with 33 shoulder-related and 16 related to the lower back. Among injured pitchers, 109 took nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 140 used modalities, 11 received surgeries, and 95 saw additional specialists. Pitchers are at a risk for injury, with 72.8% of surveyed pitchers being injured.

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Scientific Proof – Pitchers Experience Strong Impacts From The Ground When Landing With The Stride Foot

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Landing with the stride foot is important in pitching given that the only external contact a pitcher has is between the foot and the ground. Windmill softball pitchers are routinely seen clinically for injuries to the lower extremities, and lower-extremity mechanics have not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between the impact of the stride foot and throwing mechanics in youth windmill pitchers and to provide a scientific basis for the improvement of preventive and rehabilitative protocols. Fifty-three youth softball pitchers were tested in an indoor facility. High-speed video and force plate data were collected for fastballs from each pitcher. Average ball speed was 25 m/sec. Peak vertical (coming from the top) ground reaction force averaged 139 % body weight (BW), peak anterior (coming from the front) force averaged 24 %BW, and the medially (coming from the side) directed component of the ground reaction force averaged 42 %BW. Loading rates to peak force in all 3 directions were high. Preventive and rehabilitative protocols for windmill softball pitchers can begin to be improved on the basis of knowledge of the magnitudes and times to peak forces under the stride foot.

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How to Deal with Frustrating Injuries – Interview with Lauren Bay

frustratinginjuries-cd-ecover

Injuries are a sad reality of sports and they can be very frustrating.  When softball players get injured and can’t play for a while, they may get very frustrated and have a hard coping with their injuries.

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Strategies for Peak Performance – Interview with Scott Livingston

Scott Livingston, World Renowned Strength and Conditioning Coach

In this interview with world renowned strength and conditioning coach and athletic trainer Scott Livingston, you’ll learn numerous strategies used by elite athletes for achieving peak performance. Scott can train an athlete for performance and also do injury rehabilitation which is a rare and unique combo. He has worked with three NHL teams and with numerous professional, elite amateur and Olympic athletes.

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Performance System – Ultimate 52-Week High-Performance Softball Training System

ultimate-52-week-eboxAre you very serious about reaching your maximum potential? Are you hard working? Then, this complete and breakthrough Ultimate 52-Week High-Performance Softball Training System is for you! This MONSTER 466-page system contains simply the best and most comprehensive softball workouts on the planet! These are the same softball training workouts, advanced training methods, and innovative exercises all the best softball softball players in the world use to achieve extraordinary performances.

WARNING: This advanced training system is very challenging and is designed only for serious, hard-working elite players.

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Rotator Cuff Injuries

When you throw the ball, some muscles are responsible for accelerating the arm while others are responsible for decelerating it. The rotator cuff  is a group of 4 muscles located in the back of the shoulder responsible for the deceleration of the throwing arm. Because of the high velocities generated by the throwing motion, the repetitive nature of the action, and the fact that these 4 small muscles are often weak and untrained, softball players are very prone to develop rotator cuff injuries.

This report discusses what is the rotator cuff, what are rotator cuff injuries, and how to treat and prevent them.

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Q & A – Pain in Throwing

Question: 2 years ago I hurt my shoulder from throwing too much. I have had an MRI and it showed no tears. I went to physical therapy, but that didn’t help much. I can’t throw now with any speed because it hurts. Do you know any exercises that may help? Thanks.

Answer: I am really concerned with the pain. Even if the MRI didn’t show anything and the physical therapy didn’t help. There is certainly something wrong if it still hurts. Until you get an idea of what it is, it will not get better if it has been that long.

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Preventive and Rehab Exercises for Softball Pitchers

Because of the repetitive nature of what they do,  pitchers are much more likely to develop overuse injuries than any other position players.  This document provides a whole range of preventive and rehab exercises to help softball pitchers prevent and/or heal overuse injuries.

Important Note: This document contains a lot of exercises.  It is NOT advised to do them all as it would take way too long. It is recommended to pick 6-8 preventive and rehab exercises at a time and rotate them every month. Idem for the stretches.

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Performance System – Scientific Core Conditioning for Softball

scientific-core-conditioning-eboxIt is a known fact that the trunk is highly involved in all major movements in softball. The trunk also plays a key role in the generation of rotational power, necessary for hitting, throwing and pitching. Every softball player needs a strong center of power not only to be successful on the field but also to prevent injuries. This is why proper abdominal training is so important.

This performance system explains why training the core is important, how it should be trained, and proposed a progression of the best core exercises for softball.

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Medicine Ball Progression for Core Power

The core plays a key role in generating speed and power in softball whether be for running, hitting, throwing, or pitching.  The medicine ball is one of the best tools there is in order to maximize core power for softball. This report shows you a great exercise progression to increase your core power for softball.

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