Baseball pitching: understanding the mechanics of throwing a baseball may help protect the shoulder and elbow

Abstract

Whether you are the pitcher, coach, or concerned parent, the health of the athlete's throwing arm is very important. A better understanding of the forces that occur during different types of baseball throws could lead to improved guidelines, helping to boost performance while preventing injuries. A study published in the May 2011 issue of JOSPT provides new insight into the forces placed on the shoulder and elbow during flat-ground and long-toss throws.