The Benefits of Playing Multiple Sports
Sports play an important role in many children’s developmental years. Participation in athletics can help children learn motor control, patience, teamwork, listening skills and the benefits of hard work. In 2018, data shows 52 percent of kids aged 6 to 12 participated in team or individual sports. Data from 2008 shows 27 percent of youth athletes specialized in one sport.
Offseason Training Tips for Overhead Athletes
Baseball, softball, lacrosse, football, volleyball and tennis players all use overhead throwing in their sports. These athletes require power and strength for overhead positions in their dominant extremity.
With many sports currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s a great time for athletes to consider cross-training. It has been shown to be beneficial for overhead athletes to participate in more than one sport due to the benefits of cross training. However, many young athletes are specializing in one sport for more than nine months of the year. In order to reduce the risk of injury from repetitive motions, such as overhead throwing, athletes should incorporate cross training into their routines.
The Risk of ACL Injuries in Baseball
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are typically associated with sports like soccer or football, however these injuries can occur in any sport – including baseball.
5 Health Tips for Your Next Trip to the Ballpark
Baseball season is in full swing, but some of the hottest and most humid days of the year are still to come. With that in mind, here are some tips to make sure that you can enjoy the game and don’t suffer any ill effects afterward.
3 Traits of a Successful Pitcher
Henry Chadwick is credited with creating the first baseball statistics in the late 1800’s.1 To gauge a batter’s success, he formulated the batting average (hits divided by at-bats), and for pitchers, the ERA (earned runs given up per 9 innings pitched). Today, with groups like Fangraphs.com and the Society for American Baseball Research, there are mind boggling ways to analyze and predict the performance of baseball players.
Baseball and Softball: Pain After Pitching
Some discomfort in the throwing arm is common after a pitching session. After all, consistent overhead throwing is hard on the shoulder and elbow. But what is normal discomfort? What pains should be concerning to baseball/softball athletes? What pains should be examined by a professional? Find out more with the guide below:
6 Stretches to Help Cardinals Fans Keep Cheering
As the 2019 baseball season begins, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Mascot Fredbird called up his favorite Athletico Physical Therapist Laura O’Connor for help staying limber.
Fortunately, Fredbird wants to make sure all St. Louis fans are ready to cheer regardless of where they are watching the games – whether inside of Busch Stadium or from the comfort of their own couch – so he is sharing his favorite stretches for all to try!
Exercises for an ACL Injury
Have you ever injured or torn your ACL ligament? We’ve got the exercises and stretches for you! Athletico’s Dave Heidloff ATC, NASM-PES, FMS, provides stretches for athletes or anyone suffering from an ACL injury. Stretches are provided for anyone dealing with an ACL injury, specifically for those preparing for surgery or returning from surgery. Watch Dave’s exercises for an ACL injury below: (more…)