Overhead Athletes: Understanding the Risks

Youth sports are a fantastic way for children to stay active, develop skills, and learn valuable life lessons. For young throwing/overhead athletes, such as volleyball, football quarterbacks, softball, baseball, and specifically baseball pitchers, there are unique risks associated with repetitive motion and overuse. Understanding these risks is crucial for parents and coaches to ensure the health and longevity of young athletes' sports careers.

1. Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries are one of the most common risks for youth throwing athletes. These injuries occur when repetitive stress is placed on muscles, ligaments, and bones without adequate rest and recovery time. Common overuse injuries include:

• Little League Elbow: Also known as the medial epicondyle apophysate, it is an overuse injury that affects the growth plate on the inner side of the elbow.
• Little League Shoulder: This condition results from repetitive throwing motions, causing stress to the growth plate in the shoulder.
• Stress Fractures: These are tiny cracks in bones caused by repetitive force, often seen in the arms of young athletes.

2. Growth Plate Injuries

Youth throwing/overhead athletes are particularly vulnerable to growth plate injuries because their bones are still growing. The growth plates are areas of developing cartilage tissue near the ends of long bones. For throwing athletes, growth plate injuries often occur in the shoulder and elbow, leading to pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. Injuries to these areas can result in growth disturbances and long-term complications.

3. Poor Mechanics and Technique

Improper throwing mechanics and technique can, and will, significantly increase the risk of injury. Youth athletes may adopt poor habits, such as incorrect grip, stance, or release point, which can place undue stress on their developing bodies. Without proper guidance and correction, these poor mechanics can lead to chronic pain and long-term damage.

4. Lack of Rest and Recovery

Rest and recovery are crucial for preventing injuries in youth athletes. However, the pressure to perform, compete, and practice continuously can lead to insufficient rest periods. This lack of recovery time prevents the body from healing and rebuilding, increasing the risk of overuse injuries and burnout.

5. Specialization at a Young Age

Encouraging young athletes to specialize in one sport at any age can contribute to overuse injuries. Specialization often leads to repetitive movements and year-round training without the variation that comes from playing multiple sports. Diversifying athletic activities can help reduce the risk of overuse injuries and promote overall athletic development, as current research shows no long-term benefit to an athlete who specializes.

Prevention, Mitigation, and Management

Some might argue that avoiding the above risks is not realistic in today’s athletic environments. THEY ARE NOT WRONG. In today’s “win-oriented” society, there is an unprecedented amount of pressure for young athletes and their coaches to do more/do better. Combine that with parents’ fears of their children falling behind creates a precariously hazardous situation. That is why now, more than ever, players, parents, and coaches do need to be educated on the risk of throwing and activity in general. They can then make an educated decision in the best interest of their athlete to mitigate risk.

The following subjects should be prioritized:

• Education: Educate young athletes about the importance of proper technique, rest, and recovery.
• Proper Training: Ensure athletes receive coaching that emphasizes correct mechanics and form. Teaching youth proper technique when they first begin a sport is argued as being more important than the practices they have when they are older.
• Rest Periods: Current best practice and research stresses the importance of building rest periods into an athlete’s program and limit the number of throws per week.
• Cross-Training: Encourage participation in multiple sports to promote balanced development. This does not mean specialization in multiple sports year-round.
• Monitoring: Regularly monitor athletes for signs of overuse injuries and seek prompt medical attention if needed.

In It for the Long Term

Youth overhead athletes face unique risks that require careful management and proactive prevention strategies at an early age. By understanding these risks and implementing best practices for training and recovery, parents and coaches can help young athletes enjoy their sports safely and sustainably, and prevent burnout for the kids who aren’t yet as developed as their peers. Remember, the goal is not just to excel in the present but to build a foundation for lifelong health and athleticism.

If you or someone you know has already sustained a shoulder injury resulting from overhead activity, physical therapy may be your next step to healing and getting back to 100%. Talk to your primary care provider and see if Myrtue’s Rehabilitation Services is the right fit for you! If you have any additional questions, you can call Rehab Services at 712.755.4342 to speak to a Physical Therapist.

Eric Chipman, PT, DPT, ROACC (Rehabilitation Overhead Athlete Certified Clinician)