5 Ways to Protect Your Throwing Arm in 2014

February 3, 2014

(Click here for a 2-page handout of this .pdf)

#1: Weighted jump rope

3 1-minute sets per day for 12 weeks can increase external rotation strength by 55%.

Why is this important? Because external rotation weakness is a risk factor for injury.

#2: Medicine Ball Deceleration Training

The most stressful part of the throw is after ball release:

Medicine ball training can help strengthen your arm to better handle the follow-through.

Subscribe to my Baseball Video Library to learn more about specific medicine ball training.

#3: Proper Long Toss

National Pitching Association Recommendation = 120 feet

Throwing > 180 feet does not increase velocity BUT significantly increases arm stress:

Subscribe to my Video Library to learn about WHY long toss is valuable and how to long toss correctly

#4: Checking Rotator Cuff Muscle Strength

A low strength ratio between external and internal rotator cuff muscles can increase injury risk by 39%:

This can be checked with muscle strength testing software:

#5: Doing a Video Analysis

“Several MLB baseball teams are proactive and get biomechanical analyses of their healthy pitchers to reduce their risk of injury, maximize their performance, and provide a baseline measurement they can use to compare in case injuries arise.”

-Glen Fleisig, PhD
American Sports Medicine Institute
Research Director

Have a Question About This Newsletter?

Call (631-352-7654) or email (PitchingDoc@msn.com) Dr. Arnold!