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Preventing Baseball Injuries That Stem From Repetition

Baseball accounts for its fair share of repetitive motion injuries every year.  Whether due to specialization in one sport or excessive use of a throwing arm, it’s important that players of all ages recognize some of the steps that can be taken to avoid danger.  A new report explains how.

Pitchers are the players most likely to face injuries, as they’re throwing a ball nearly as hard as they can over and over again throughout the course of a season.  This leaves them open to such things as strains, tears, fractures, tendonitis, and more.  Athletes and their physical trainers should keep an eye out for signs of excessive swelling and inflammation in the shoulder and elbow area, along with all the pain that goes along with those.

Tendinitis should be of particular concern for players.  The onset of this condition may be signaled by pain that increases when a player lifts his or her arm.  This pain can develop gradually over time and may be mistaken for normal aches and pains; it’s only when it gets worse instead of better that an athlete realizes something may be wrong.  If things ever get to the point where it hurts simply to sleep on the arm, a visit to the doctor may be warranted.

The old maxim that athletes should push through any and all pain is increasingly being looked upon as a poor piece of advice.  In fact, when an athlete’s arm is already tired or sore to the point that they feel exhausted or in downright agony, the injury has probably already set in and can only be exacerbated.

Instead, athletes ought to know their limits, and coaches and parents can help by not placing pressure on them to push past the pain.  Similarly, if an athlete sets out for a couple days, he or she shouldn’t be encouraged to start working out anew before they’re ready.  A few days must be taken, and if pain resolution doesn’t occur naturally, a medical assessment should be sought.

It’s also important that coaches at all levels, from youth sports on up to college and beyond, stress the proper throw.  The actual pitch may vary slightly from participant to participant, but all overseers should have an idea at the very least of what isn’t safe.

Kids shouldn’t be asked to specialize throughout the year; instead, they should get an ample break from baseball, playing other sports at other times of the year so that they get a full range of motion.  Pitchers should have at the very least three months straight where they’re not required to throw at all.

The report closes with a valuable pitch count list divided up by age range, and for those interested in seeing what the maximum amount of pitches should be per demo, click the link up top.

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