The Evidence Behind Weighted Ball Throwing Programs for the Baseball Player: Do They Work and Are They Safe?

Melugin, Heath P.; Smart, Annie; Verhoeven, Martijn; Dines, Joshua S.; Camp, Christopher L.

doi:10.1007/s12178-020-09686-0

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Notwithstanding, it should be mentioned that overloading the racquet or limb may negatively affect joint angular velocity and upper body structures in consequence (54) as identified in previous overloaded throwing programs (35). Therefore, this type of training may be recommended and useful in the preparation stages away from competition.…”

Section: Plyometrics Stretch Shortening Cycle Enhanced and Serve-spec...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Tennis Serve Velocity: Review of Training Methods and Recommendations

Colomar

Corbi

Baiget

2022

Strength &Amp; Conditioning Journal

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One of the essential components to success in tennis is serve velocity (SV). Coaches and practitioners aim to maximize performance and results by increasing this determinant aspect. Concentrically or eccentrically predominant conventional resistance training programs have been used to raise SV, obtaining moderate increases in experienced populations. Nevertheless, indirect improvements in other components, such as asymmetry reductions and increased neural adaptations following these designs, could interest the young competitor. Other methodologies such as medicine ball throws and explosive or power-based programs that mimic the serve kinetic chain seem to obtain greater gains in young players, because the implication and body structures involved seem more specific to the action. More recent methodologies such as flywheel-based training or weighted implements or limbs also could be of interest, although further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of these programs and specific load prescriptions. However, data suggest that heavier or lighter load exercises seem valid options to improve SV if the athlete performs maximal intended execution velocity. Added to the currently available literature on training methods to increase SV, exercise prescription examples are provided to help the strength and conditioning coach improve this key variable.

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Section: Plyometrics Stretch Shortening Cycle Enhanced and Serve-spec...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Tennis Serve Velocity: Review of Training Methods and Recommendations

Colomar

Corbi

Baiget

2022

Strength &Amp; Conditioning Journal

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“…Therefore, weighted ball velocity throwing (WBV) programs have gained in popularity across all levels of baseball as they have been shown to enhance throwing velocity. [62][63][64][65][66][67] Pitchers drafted in the top 5 MLB rounds reached 90 mph at the average age of 16.7 years in 2020, the youngest age when assessing HS showcase data from 2011 to 2020 (range of 16.7-17.3 years). 68 There has been concern from noted experts in the baseball throwing community that the rise in baseball pitching injuries is associated in part because of the rise in pitching velocity.…”

Section: Velocity and Weighted Ball Programsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pitching Restriction Policies in Adolescent and High-School Baseball Pitchers: Is It Time for an Updated Paradigm?

Zaremski,

Bowers,

Kriz

2023

Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine

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“…To properly prepare these athletes for the high demands of pitching, a great deal of work has gone into developing interval throwing programs that gradually raise the amount of stress that the elbow sees over time as a lead-up to competition. 18,23,24,31,33 These throwing programs are commonly used to prepare healthy athletes for the season ahead and for the injured athlete working on returning to play after injury. Although these programs vary to some extent, the general principles of gradually increasing throwing effort, distance, and volume over time are consistent across programs.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Elbow Stress and Ball Velocity During Reduced Effort Pitching: A Marker-Based Motion Capture Analysis

et al. 2023

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Background: Baseball pitchers often participate in throwing programs that involve throwing at reduced effort levels to gradually increase the amount of stress experienced across the elbow. It is currently unknown how reduced effort pitching compares with maximum effort with respect to elbow stress and ball velocity. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to determine the correlation between elbow stress and ball velocity with reduced effort pitching. We hypothesized that decreased perceived effort would disproportionately correlate with elbow stress and ball velocity. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Ten healthy male high school baseball pitchers threw 5 pitches from a regulation pitching mound at 3 effort levels: maximum effort, 75% effort, and 50% effort. Elbow stress, specifically elbow varus torque, was calculated for all pitches using a validated marker-based 3-dimensional motion capture system. Ball velocity was measured using a Doppler radar gun. Intrathrower variability was calculated for each effort level. Results: Elbow stress and ball velocity decreased with reduced effort throws ( P < .001 and P = .003, respectively). However, the reductions in elbow stress and ball velocity were not proportional. At 75% effort throws, elbow stress measured 81% (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.95), and ball velocity measured 90% (ICC, 0.80) of maximum, respectively. At 50% effort throws, elbow stress measured 75% (ICC, 0.93), and ball velocity measured 85% (ICC, 0.87) of maximum. Intrathrower reliability was excellent for elbow stress and ball velocity, with all ICCs ≥0.80. Conclusion: Pitching at a reduced effort level resulted in decreased elbow stress and ball velocity. However, for every 25% reduction in perceived effort, elbow stress decreased by a mean 13%, and ball velocity decreased 7.5%. When baseball pitchers attempt to throw at a reduced effort of maximum, throwing metrics do not decrease proportionately. Clinical Relevance: While pitching at a reduced effort of maximum decreases elbow stress and ball velocity, the decrease is not proportional, subjecting the elbow to more stress than intended. This has significant clinical importance to pitchers, coaches, and medical professionals in the setting of injury prevention and return to sports.

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The Evidence Behind Weighted Ball Throwing Programs for the Baseball Player: Do They Work and Are They Safe?

Cited by 10 publications

References 32 publications

Improving Tennis Serve Velocity: Review of Training Methods and Recommendations

Improving Tennis Serve Velocity: Review of Training Methods and Recommendations

Pitching Restriction Policies in Adolescent and High-School Baseball Pitchers: Is It Time for an Updated Paradigm?

Changes in Elbow Stress and Ball Velocity During Reduced Effort Pitching: A Marker-Based Motion Capture Analysis

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