Taking Baseball Season to the Next Level

It’s March and baseball season is underway!

 As millions of fans, parents, coaches, and athletes begin their seasons, I would like to provide some statistics and information on sports injuries. Furthermore, guidance on how to keep them all active and healthy will be posted below!

 

Alarming Numbers:

  1. Twenty percent of children ages 8 to 12 and 45 percent of those ages 13 to 14 will have arm pain during a single youth baseball season.

  2. Since 2000 there has been a fivefold increase in the number of serious shoulder and elbow injuries among youth baseball and softball players.

  3. Overuse injuries are responsible for nearly half of all sports injuries to middle and high school students.

  4. More than 3.5 million kids under age 14 receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year.

 

Most common baseball injuries:

  1. Muscle sprains and strains

  2. Rotator cuff tears

  3. UCL injury

  4. Knee injuries

 

Even though it is impossible to guarantee an injury-free season, there are numerous ways to significantly reduce the chance of injury.

  1. Pitch counts – especially important in youth programs due to the fact that growing bones and joints are more susceptible to injury. Repetitive high velocity movements with the arm significantly increases the risk of injury if not limited and set up with proper recovery.

  2. Recovery – allow the tissues and anatomical structures to properly heal and recover following activities.

  3. Cross Training – train the body in different ways throughout the season to keep the body strong and resilient while allowing overused parts of the body to recover. 

  4. Proper injury management if or when injury occurs – invest in treatment and management by a qualified musculoskeletal professional and movement specialist. Someone who focuses on sports medicine will be able to get the athlete back playing fast and with a decreased risk of re-injury. 

  5. Nutrition– provide the body with nutrients and energy sources that will optimize performance.  There is not one cookie-cutter diet for all athletes. Each athlete should have an individualized plan to meet their dietary needs for that particular sport.

  6. Sleep – insufficient sleep can increase the stress hormone, cortisol. Do not forget to get your “zzzzzz’s!”

 

At Southern Spine & Rehab LLC, Dr. Kolten Pedigo specializes in sports rehab and injury management. If you would like to book an appointment, call 618-772-2999 or schedule online at www.southernspineandrehab.com!

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In Health,

Dr. Kolten K. Pedigo, DC, MS

Southern Illinois Sports Doctor

1616 West Main St. Suite 503 

Marion, IL 62959

 

 

 

 

 

References

·  JS Powell, KD Barber Foss, 1999. Injury patterns in selected high school sports: a review of the 1995-1997 seasons. J Athl Train. 34: 277-84.

·  Safe Kids USA Campaign Web site. 2009.

·  American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2009.

·  Preserving the Future of Sport: From Prevention to Treatment of Youth Overuse Sports Injuries. AOSSM 2009 Annual Meeting Pre-Conference Program. Keystone, Colorado.

Kolten PedigoSouthern Spine & Rehab LLC