In-Season Strength and Conditioning Programming for Collegiate Baseball Pitchers: A Unified Approach

Transcription

1 In-Season Strength and Conditioning Programming for Collegiate Baseball Pitchers: A Unified Approach Matthew Kritz, CSCS, 1 Rob Mamula, BSc, CSCS, 2 Kevin Messey, MS, ATC, CSCS, 2 and Matt Hobbs 2 1 Institute of Sport & Recreation Research New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand; 2 University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California SUMMARY BASEBALL PITCHERS ARE SOME OF THE MOST EXPLOSIVE ATH- LETES IN SPORTS. COLLEGIATE PITCHERS MAY BE CONSIDERED A STARTER, MIDDLE RELIEVER, OR CLOSER, YET THEY WILL OFTEN PITCH WHEN NEEDED. THE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROFESSIONAL SHOULD CON- SIDER THE WEEKLY DEMANDS PLACED ON A PITCHER AND DESIGN A STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROGRAM THAT (A) OPTIMIZES PERFORMANCE FOR EACH PITCHING OUTING, (B) REDUCES THE RISK OF INJURIES, AND (C) ATTENUATES DETRAINING DURING THE SEASON. THE REC- OMMENDED PROGRAM UTILIZES CONDITIONING PROGRAMS BASED IN THE WEIGHT ROOM, IN THE ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM, AND ON THE FIELD. INTRODUCTION T he baseball pitcher performs one of the most dynamic movements in sport. To repeatedly throw a 149-g baseball between 80 mph and 100 mph, a person must possess above-average strength, power, flexibility, and conditioning (9). Although at one time strength training for pitchers was considered to be a detriment to pitching performance, it is now widely accepted as an integral component of a pitcher s total training program. The demands imposed on collegiate baseball pitchers are unique and require specific considerations when developing a strength-and-conditioning program. Many collegiate baseball pitchers are considered specialists with their pitching contribution. Many pitchers contribute as they are needed depending on the needs of the team. Collegiate baseball pitchers generally are classified as starters, relievers, or closers. The demands placed on a starting pitcher s body are usually related to the volume of pitches he or she in a given outing. These pitchers are conditioned to make highintensity pitches in an outing (5). A major difference between a starter and a reliever is preparation. Starters know when they are pitching and are able to perform a specific warm-up before the game. They also have ample time to recover between outings. Most of the physiological breakdown occurs from increased innings thrown as a result of the length (56 games) of a college season. The relieving pitcher is a generic term used in collegiate baseball because there are many roles a relief pitcher may fill. A long reliever will sometimes throw 5 6 innings in a given outing for a pitch volume of pitches depending on the length of the outing (5). Thus, the demands on the long reliever s body in terms of the stress and volume of pitches would be similar to a starting pitcher. The long reliever s recovery time would need to be similar to a starter to avoid injury related to fatigue. A short reliever is typically used in 1- to 2-inning stints but can throw as many as 3 4 innings if the situation requires. K E Y W O R D S : periodization; velocity; power; prehabilitation; throwing Ó National Strength and Conditioning Association Strength and Conditioning Journal 59

2 Strength and Conditioning for Collegiate Baseball Pitchers Short relievers, sometimes referred to as set-up men, are expected to be able to warm-up and be game ready to pitch in as little as 3 minutes (5), which is where the physiological demand on the body differs from the starting pitcher. Short relievers are expected to make game-intensity pitches before entering the contest to make sure they are ready to enter the game and be effective. These pitchers are expected to be able to do this multiple times in the same contest. In certain circumstances, a short reliever may be used multiple times in a 3- to 4-game weekend series. Pitch volume for short relievers can range from 10 to 50 pitches depending on the length of the outing (5). Closing pitchers typically are used at the end of games in most instances for a short duration (1 2 innings). They, like the short relievers, are expected to be able to get ready in a short amount of time. What makes closers unique is they often know that they will be used at the end of games and they can begin to prepare their bodies accordingly. In most cases the pitch volume will fall in the range of pitches per outing for closing pitchers (5). It is for these reasons that the strength and conditioning program for collegiate pitchers should consider the general kinetic and kinematic demands of pitching and the specific demands of each pitcher s scheduled outing. BIOMECHANICS OF PITCHING When developing an effective strength and conditioning program for collegiate pitchers, it is important for the strength and conditioning professional to be aware of the factors that influence pitching performance and the occurrence of pitching related injuries. The most common injuries in baseball involve the shoulder (6,8 10,14). The repeated throwing motion experienced during bullpens, game-like simulations, and pitching in games over the course of multiple innings has been shown to result in muscle fatigue that impairs performance and could lead to the increased occurrence of injury (9). Researchers have attributed faulty biomechanics and physiological fatigue as the fundamental causes of pitchingrelated injuries (12). An analysis of the pitching motion depicts the large pectoralis and latissimus dorsi muscles as essential for forward propulsion of the upper extremity (9). The scapular muscles are principle for maintaining normal scapular kinesis, and the muscles of the lower extremity are thought to play an integral role in accelerating and decelerating the upper body (9). It is believed that fatigue in any of the aforementioned muscles could result in microtrauma to the glenohumeral joint (9). Kinematic changes considered to be indications of fatigue over the course of a game have been observed as dropped elbow and decreased knee flexion at the critical instant of ball release (9). Understanding the kinetic and kinematic variables that are indicative of optimal pitching performance will enable the strength and conditioning professional to identify specific weaknesses in each athlete and develop specific training programs designed to improve pitching performance and attenuate the affects of fatigue on pitching performance. PROGRAM DESIGN AND RATIONALE PREHABILITATION Common shoulder injuries associated with repetitive throwing include but are not limited to labral pathology, rotator cuff pathology, glenohumeral instability, and subluxation (12). Baseball pitchers have been observed with increased external rotation and decreased internal rotation of their throwing shoulder when measurements were taken at 90 of shoulder abduction (10). It has been suggested that the increase in external rotation is a protective adaptation and a decrease in internal rotation, or GIRD (glenohumeral internal rotation deficiency), can lead to improper arthrokinematics of the glenohumeral joint and is a significant factor that contributes to many overuse injuries of the glenohumeral joint (4,12). A kinetic analysis of the pitching motion depicts a relationship between the internal and external rotators of the shoulder during overhead throwing. Near the end of the arm-cocking phase an internal rotation torque is created at the shoulder while the humerus and forearm are still externally rotating (12). The internal rotators are applying internal rotation torque at the proximal end of the humerus, while the forearm and hand are creating an external rotation torque. The opposing torques create a larger net torque at the distal end of the humerus, which accounts for the protective adaptation observed in the external rotation in pitchers dominant arms compared to their nondominant arms (10,12). Essentially, the adaptation represents an attempt by the glenohumeral joint to attain a balance between the flexibility needed to allow for greater external rotation and the stability needed to counter the anterior shear forces across the glenohumeral joint during the process of pitching (10). On the basis of the professional experience of the authors and current trends in research, the program detailed in Table 1 (Figures 1 and 2) is used to develop and maintain stability and mobility within the shoulder girdle to assist the preparation of collegiate pitchers. The objective of this prehabilitation program is to develop an optimal relationship between the scapulo-humeral complex. This relationship will assist in prevention of overuse injuries of the glenohumeral joint by creating a balance of flexibility and strength to help attenuate muscle damage and facilitate recovery. The program involves 8 stretches and 12 specific dumbbell and tubing exercises and can be conducted year round. This program can be performed everyday the athlete. No rest is necessary between days because it is designed to maintain strength, balance, and symmetry of the dynamic stabilizers of the scapulo-humeral complex. It is intended that the stretches be performed by a certified athletic trainer using the 60 VOLUME 30 NUMBER 4 AUGUST 2008

3 Table 1 Glenohumeral prehabilitation program for collegiate baseball pitchers Stretching program Stretch Athlete start position Stretching partner s position Action Biceps, long head Supine, arm at their side, elbow extended At side of arm to be stretched Passively move arm into a stretch at shoulder extension Anterior capsule Supine, arm at their side, elbow flexed to 90 At side of arm to be stretched Passively move arm into stretch at shoulder extension External rotation Supine, shoulder abducted to 90 and in neutral rotation, elbow flexed to 90 At side of arm to be stretched. Stabilize elbow on your leg furthest from head. Use one hand to apply a mild posterior glide of the humeral head. The other hand applies external rotation stretch Passively move arm into external rotation (stop at initiation of stretch, this is not done aggressively) Internal rotation A Internal rotation B Supine, shoulder abducted to 90 and in neutral rotation, elbow flexed to 90 Supine, shoulder abducted to 90 and in neutral rotation, elbow flexed to 90 Horizontal adduction A Supine, shoulder flexed to 90 and in mild internal rotation, elbow flexed to 90 Horizontal adduction B Prone chicken wing Supine, shoulder flexed to 90 and in mild internal rotation, elbow flexed to 90 Prone, hand on lower back, actively lifted up elbow towards ceiling At side of arm to be stretched At side of arm to be stretched At side of arm to be stretched, hand on elbow At side of arm to be stretched, hand on elbow and other hand stabilize the lateral border of scapula At side of arm to be stretched, hand on elbow and other hand stabilize the athletes hand on lower back Passively move arm into internal rotation (allow scapular lift) Passively move arm into internal rotation (DO NOT allow scapular lift) Passively move shoulder into horizontal adduction (allow scapular lift) Resist athletes arm proximal to the elbow and at the scapula as they move back to start position Passively move shoulder into horizontal adduction (DO NOT allow scapular lift) Passively move arm towards floor, stop at initiation of stretch Strength and Conditioning Journal 61

4 Strength and Conditioning for Collegiate Baseball Pitchers Table 1 continued Dumbbell shoulder exercises (All of the dumbbell shoulder exercises are performed with a ROM no higher than 90 of glenohumeral abduction) Exercise Sets Reps Load Forward flexion lbs or less Abduction lbs or less Bent over raise (posterior deltoid), elbows flexed to lbs or less Prone row + external lbs or less rotation (with back slightly extended) Prone horizontal abduction thumbs in Prone horizontal abduction thumbs out Standing horizontal adduction moving to horizontal abduction and back lbs or less lbs or less lbs or less lbs or less Tubing exercises Exercise Sets Reps Instruction Biceps curl/palm in (facing head) Figure 1 Biceps curl/palm out (facing away from head) Figure 2 Arm slot external rotation: The slot is the arm position near 90 glenohumeral abduction in the pitching motion 1 10 Shoulder held in 90 of abduction and 90 of external rotation 1 10 Shoulder held in 90 of abduction and 90 of external rotation 1 10 Shoulder in 90 of abduction, elbow extended, hand holding tubing, tubing pulling anterior. Athlete externally rotates GH joint. Eccentric external rotation 1 10 athlete is supine, tubing from pitching hand raise same side foot move opposite hand unload concentric load eccentric contract-relax technique of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. The dumbbell and tubing exercises initially should be supervised by a certified athletic trainer to ensure proper movement patterns are used. However, once the pitcher has demonstrated their ability to maintain proper technique while performing these exercises on multiple occasions, the pitcher may incorporate the band and dumbbell exercises with their strength training program or as part of their pre warmup routine prior to throwing. STRENGTH TRAINING Strength training for pitchers has evolved significantly from the days when pitchers were discouraged from resistance training to present day where strength training is considered an important component of a pitcher s athletic performance program (3). When designing the strength training program for baseball pitchers, it is important to understand the biomechanics of the pitching motion to develop a 62 VOLUME 30 NUMBER 4 AUGUST 2008

5 Figure 1. Slot bicep curl (palm in). comprehensive program designed to improve performance. Although most research devoted to baseball focuses on the throwing arm (3) and often publications about strength programming Figure 2. Slot bicep curl (palm out). for baseball pitchers focus on the shoulder (2,3,7), the authors believe that a strength training program designed for baseball pitchers that does not consider the entire body is incomplete; considering that 46.9% of the velocity of the overhand throw is attributed to the stride and body rotation (3). It is for this reason that the strength-training program featured in Table 2 is designed to develop and maintain the strength, power, and velocity characteristics of the body. Table 2 also depicts the parameters used to develop the in-season strengthtraining program for collegiate baseball pitchers. It incorporates a heavyintensity, medium-intensity, and lightintensity training day. Intensity is determined by the eccentric and physiological demand of each movement within the workout. Day 1 is designed to be the real work day, with emphasis on improving the force production and rate of force development of the Table 2 Inseason strength training guidelines and sample program for collegiate pitchers Day 1 (Heavy) Day 2 (Medium) Day 3 (Light) Objective: *Heavy external loads high priority *Basic strength movements dominate *Olympic movements *Low priority on functional movements *Speed of movement-medium priority Objective: *Sport specific exercises increase *Strength in sport specific movements increase *Speed of movement increases in priority *External loads decrease as speed of movement increases Objective: *Sport specific movements dominate *Speed of movement is paramount *External loads are decreased to accommodate an increase in movement velocity *Eccentric loading reduced dramatically Repetitions: 4 6 for primary exercises 8 10 auxiliary exercises Intensity: 87 95% for FD 85 90% for RFD High Pull from the Floor (P) MB Rotational Slam (A) Squat (P) Single Leg Depth Jump (P) DB 1 Arm Row (A) DB Pullover CC Single Leg Curl (A) (Figures 3, 4) Bicep Curls (A) (Eccentric focus) Repetitions: 6 8 for primary exercises 8 10 for auxiliary exercises Intensity: 82 90% for FD 35 50% for RFD Single Leg Bench Squat (P) Cable ABC Extension (A) (Figures 13, 14) DB Rotational Press (P) (Figures 5, 6) MB internal rotation (A) CC Forward Lunge (A) (Figures 7, 8) 1 arm 1 leg supine pull-up (P) (Figures 9, 10) Supine Cobras (A) (Figures 11, 12) MB Hand Shuffle (A) Repetitions: 6 8 for primary exercises 8 12 for auxiliary exercises Intensity: 70 82% for RFD 25% for V DB Single Arm High Pull from the Floor (P) Vertical Bar rotations (A) Rotational Pitching Lunge (P) Supine one leg pull-up (P) Lateral Bounding (stick and hold the landing) (A) Single arm push-up (P) Thoracic rotations (A) (Figure 16,17) MB Overhead Slams (A) MB Power Swings (A) FD = force development; RFD = rate of force development; V = velocity; P = primary; A = auxillary; CC = crazy carpet. The crazy carpet is a durable piece of plastic approximately 16 inches long and 12 inches wide. It used to as a strength training modality where the athlete s bodyweight and external mass (if necessary) combined with the the friction between the crazy carpet and the ground surface provide the resistance. Strength and Conditioning Journal 63

6 Strength and Conditioning for Collegiate Baseball Pitchers athlete. Day 2 involves movements that are more specific to pitching with a continued emphasis on improving force production and rate of force development. Day 3 uses movements that have the most specificity to pitching with the objective to improve and maintain the velocity characteristics of the body s musculature. Traditionally, undulating periodization would have the same lifts each workout with varying loads and intensity to achieve a desired outcome (13). However, it is the belief of the authors that because of the demands of the collegiate pitcher, and given the specific kinetic and kinematic needs of the pitcher, limiting the exercises would limit the ability to address specific performance issues related to force production, rate of force development and/ or velocity of movement. Therefore, a broad range of exercises are used to address the specific needs of each pitcher as it relates to their pitching responsibility and their individual kinetic and kinematic capabilities. Table 3 (Figures 3 18) offers a description of those exercises that are unique with additional figures of those exercises thought by the authors to be novel. The intensity scheme follows the fundamental periodization model for heavy, medium, and light classifications (13). The intensity is listed as a percentage of the athlete s one repetition maximum and is adjusted relative to the number of repetitions completed while adhering to the objective for the set. Table 3 Exercise descriptions Exercises MB rotational slam CC single-leg curl See Figures 3, 4 Cable ABC extension DB rotational press See Figures 5, 6 CC forward lunge Single-arm single leg supine pull up See Figures 9 and 10 Supine cobras MB hand shuffles Rotational pitching lunge Supine single-leg pull up Thoracic rotations Description Standing with good posture, feet shoulder width, rotating through your thoracic keeping your lumbar as stable as possible, slam a medicine ball that can bounce to the ground on either side of your feet See Figures 13 15: Standing with good posture holding a bar attachment to a cable machine set to the bottom position. Raise the bar up overhead using a forceful hip extension while maintaining a straight arm position. Alternate raising the handle directly overhead A position, over the right shoulder B position and over the left shoulder C position. Positions B and C should be performed with appropriate hip rotation Figures 7 and 8: The crazy carpet is a durable piece of plastic approximately 16 inches long and 12 inches wide Figures 11 and 12: Lying flat of the ground positions the arms at a approximately 45. Rotate your shoulder down and in maintaining scapulae adduction. Push the elbows into the floor to raise the torso off the ground. Keep the head inline with the spine. The hips legs and feet remain in contact with the ground with good alignment Lying on your stomach with your hands stretched out in front of you shuffle the medicine ball back in forth between your hands while maintaining straight arms. Keep your hips, knees, and feet on the ground Facing forward lift a knee up in a controlled manner, rotate to the side of the leg lifted (e.g., left leg, rotate to the left side) and step out in a deep lunge position. Return to the face forward position and repeat with the other leg Lying supine under a bar pull your chest to the bar with one leg in contact with the ground bent so that the ankle is directly under the knee. The noncontact leg should be held parallel to the ground. The hips should be elevated to maintain a straight, aligned body position See Figures 16 18: The goal of this exercise is to stabilize the lumbar spine and rotate through the thoracic spine. This movement helps improve thoracic mobility while working on maintaining lumbar stability. Keep your lumbar flat throughout the internal and external rotation 64 VOLUME 30 NUMBER 4 AUGUST 2008

7 Figure 3. CC single leg curl start and finish position. Figure 11. Supine Cobra start position. Figure 7. CC Forward lunge start and finish position. Figure 4. CC single leg curl middle position. Figure 12. Supine Cobra finish position. Figure 8. CC Forward lunge middle position. Figure 5. DB rotational press start position. Figure 9. One arm one leg supine pullup start and finish position. Figure 13. ABC extensions (start position). Figure 6. DB Rotational press finish position. Figure 10. One arm one leg supine pullup middle position. PITCHING ROTATION Each pitching rotation is based on the games scheduled and the responsibilities of the pitcher (i.e., starter, reliever, and closer). Therefore, each pitcher should rotate through all 3 intensities, and the emphasis for each day would depend on the day of their pitching outing. The Strength and Conditioning Journal 65

8 Strength and Conditioning for Collegiate Baseball Pitchers Figure 16. Thoracic rotation start. Figure 14. ABC extensions (Position A ). Figure 15. ABC extensions (Position B ). intensity of training should be inverse to the time of the pitching outing. Each pitcher s heavy day will be as far from the game as possible; the next day will be medium intensity, and the day closest to the game will be a light day. Schedules for the pitching rotation should be received from the pitching coach weekly. The strength coach will then complete the proposed lifting schedule and send that information to the pitching coach. This allows each coach to make individual changes to each program (pitching versus lifting) depending on the circumstances that arise each week. Table 4 details 2 sample periodization scenarios; Scenario one features a scheduled start on a Friday, and scenario 2 features a scheduled start on a Wednesday and on a Saturday. Table 4 also depicts how the prehabilitation, throwing program, and lifting program were periodized to accommodate the 2 starting scenarios. By providing 3 different training sessions, the athlete s physical prowess is not sacrificed by the individual demands associated with each pitching outing and the long in-season experienced by collegiate pitchers. By using this periodization scheme, all pitchers experience at least one heavy-training session every 7 12 days, with the majority of training sessions focused on the rate of force Figure 17. Thoracic rotation (internal rotation). Figure 18. Thoracic rotation (external rotation). Table 4 Two scenarios of how a prehabilitation, throwing, and lifting program can be periodized for collegiate pitchers Scenario Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Prehab (Table 1) X X X X X X X X 1 Throwing Distance bullpen 30 live pitches Light Start Recovery No Bullpen Lifting Day 1 (H) No lift Day 2 (M) No lift No lift Day 3 (L) off Day 1 (H) 2 Throwing 30 live pitches Light Start Recovery No Start Recovery Lifting Day 2 (M) No lift No lift Day 2 (M) off No lift Day 3 (L) off L = light; M = medium; H = heavy. No 66 VOLUME 30 NUMBER 4 AUGUST 2008

9 Day 1: Anaerobic: Long sprint intervals Table 5 Sample in-season field-conditioning program for collegiate pitchers Dynamic warm-up (walking pull knee to chest, walking lunge, lateral lunge, legs swings, high knee, butt kick, shuffle, carioca, and high skips) 1. S-Poles: pole-to-pole sprint w/an additional ¼ pole 3 2 (recovery: ½ pole walk) 2. Pole-to-pole sprint 3 4 (recovery: ¼ pole walk) Cool down: run 2 laps around field and stretch Day 2: Anaerobic: Short sprint intervals Dynamic warm-up (walking pull knee to chest, walking lunge, lateral lunge, legs swings, high knee, butt kick, shuffle, carioca, and high skips) 1. ½ Pole Sprint 3 6 (recovery: 20 s standing rest then walk out from the foul line and back) 2. ¼ Pole Sprint 3 6 (recovery: 20 s standing rest then walk out from the foul line and back) Cool down run two laps around field and stretch Day 3: OFF Day 4: Anaerobic: Plyometric and sprint work Dynamic warm-up (walking pull knee to chest, walking lunge, lateral lunge, legs swings, high knee, butt kick, shuffle, carioca, and high skips) Every drill is performed on a 45-s interval. The athlete has 45 s to perform the drill and rest. Rest one minute between drills. Drills 1) Squat jump 3 3 followed w/ 10 yard explosive sprint 32 2) Ice skaters 3 6 followed by 10 yard explosive sprint 32 3) Single leg jump (forward) 15 yards 32 4) Single leg jump (side, off drive leg) 15 yards 32 5) Split-leg squat jump 3 3 followed w/ 10 yard explosive sprint 32 6) yard sprints Cool down: 2 laps around field and stretch Day 5: Aerobic: Long steady state runs Dynamic warm-up (walking pull knee to chest, walking lunge, lateral lunge, legs swings, high knee, butt kick, shuffle, carioca, and high skips) Athlete is instructed to go when ready. All sprints are performed at 70% of max intensity 6 easy poles 4 pole to pole sprints 6 ½ pole sprints 6 easy poles Cool down: run 2 laps around field and stretch Day 6: OFF Day 7: Start Strength and Conditioning Journal 67

10 Strength and Conditioning for Collegiate Baseball Pitchers development and velocity of movement (i.e.. Days 2 and 3). It should be noted that the periodization scheme for collegiate baseball pitchers is dynamic, and the strength and conditioning professional needs to be flexible with their program prescription given changes in pitching rotation, number of pitches thrown, and the general health and well being of the pitcher. FIELD CONDITIONING The success of a pitcher is reliant upon many factors. One factor that affects the pitcher s ability to physiologically recover between training sessions and games is his physical conditioning. To determine what constitutes a proper conditioning program specific to the demands of an individual pitcher and his responsibilities on the mound, a fundamental understanding of the aerobic and anaerobic energy pathways is necessary. Aerobic conditioning can be defined as a series of chemical reactions that occur in the presence of oxygen (1). Anaerobic conditioning is a series of chemical reactions that occur without the presence of oxygen (1). Generally aerobic conditioning involves prolonged activity at submaximal intensity and anaerobic conditioning involves repeated intervals of maximal intensity (11). It is the distinction between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism and performance that is important when considering the development of a conditioning program for pitchers (11). Because pitching is considered an anaerobic event, a pitcher s anaerobic capacity is of primary importance. However, a strong aerobic foundation will allow for optimal recovery between anaerobic training sessions (1). The program featured in Table 5 was designed to enhance the anaerobic capabilities of the pitcher using both aerobic and anaerobic stimulus and assuming the pitchers were throwing on a 7-day rotation. However, as stated previously a collegiate pitcher may pitch more than once per week. The 2 nontraining days depicted in Table 5 as day 6 and 7 can be adjusted to accommodate a pitcher scheduled to pitch multiple times in a seven day period. For example if a pitcher is scheduled to pitch on what would be day 4 and day 7 of the program, then day 4 can be substituted for the start and day 7 remains the same as the other starting day. It is not necessary to make-up the missed anaerobic training session (day 4) because pitching is anaerobic and considered the most specific conditioning that can be done for pitchers. CONCLUSION When working with a collegiate baseball pitcher, the strength and conditioning professional should consider the pitching responsibilities of each pitcher on a weekly basis. In addition, the strength training program should focus on enhancing and maintaining the kinetic and kinematic variables of each pitcher by remediating individual movement deficiencies and enhancing the force and velocity characteristics of the throwing motion. It does take considerable effort to coordinate the lifting program with the pitching rotation, however, with good communication between the strength coach, pitching coach, and certified athletic trainer this program can be effectively implemented at the collegiate level.j Matthew Kritz is a PhD Candidate Insports Biomechanics at Edith Cowan University and owner of strength for sprot.com. Rob Mamula is the Director of Athletic Performance at the University of California San Diego. Kevin Messey is Head Athletic Trainer at the University of California San Piego. Matt Hobbs is an Assistant Base ball Coach at the University of California San Prego. REFERENCES 1. Brooks, GA, Fahey, TD, White, TP, and Baldwin, KM. Exercise Physiology: Human Bioenergetics and Its Applications (3rd ed). Mountain View, CA: Mayfield, p Carter, AB, Kaminski, TW, Douex, Jr. AT, Knight, CA, and Richards, JG. Effects of high volume upper extremity plyometric training on throwing velocity and functional strength ratios of the shoulder rotators in collegiate baseball players. J Strength Cond Res 21: , Derenne, C, Ho, KW, and Murphy, JC. Effects of general, special, and specific resistance training on throwing velocity in baseball: a brief review. J Strength Cond Res 15: , Downar, JM, Sauers, EL. Clinical measures of shoulder mobility in the professional baseball player. J Athl Train 40: 23 29, Escamilla, RF, Barrentine, SW, Fleisig, GS, Zheng, N, Yoshirhiro, T, Kingsley, D, and Andrews, JR. Pitching biomechanics as a pitcher approaches muscular fatigue during a simulated baseball game. Am J Sports Med 35: 23 33, Herickhoff, PK, Keyurapan, E, Fayad, LM, Silberstein, CE, and McFarland, EG. Scapular stress fracture in a professional baseball player: A case report and review of the literature. Am J Sports Med 35: , VOLUME 30 NUMBER 4 AUGUST 2008

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