A Podcast to Promote and Improve Your Practice as an Athletic Trainer
In a recent episode of the Sports Medicine Broadcast, host Chase Morales, along with Ross Little and second-year M.A. student Dorothy Bailey, sat down with Dr. Craig Garrison, Director of Research and Education at the Memorial Hermann Rockets Sports Medicine Institute. Dr. Garrison shared critical insights on identifying and correcting faulty throwing mechanics, understanding the biomechanical drivers of modern throwing velocity, and implementing practical strategies to protect overhead athletes across sports.
The Evolution of Velocity and Biomechanics
In today's sports landscape, throwing velocity serves as the baseline measuring stick for recruitment and advancement. High school baseball pitchers striving for Division I recruitment are now expected to consistently throw in the low-to-mid 90s—a notable contrast to a decade ago when lower velocity ranges were far more common.
This rise in velocity is heavily linked to advancements in biomechanical evaluation and motion analysis technology. By leveraging data-driven insights, clinicians and strength coaches can optimize kinetic sequencing, helping athletes generate explosive power while aiming to mitigate tissue stress.
Kinetic Principles Beyond Baseball
Although baseball pitching dominates discussions around overhead biomechanics, the core mechanical principles extend across multiple disciplines. Dr. Garrison highlighted that track and field throwers—specifically javelin athletes—exhibit nearly identical mechanical principles and injury risk profiles:
Balancing Force Production and Kinematic Sequencing
To lower injury risk, clinicians must evaluate both force production and kinematic sequencing. An athlete who produces exceptional lower-body force but lacks proper sequencing will experience high stress on the upper extremity, drastically increasing injury risk.
Mechanical FactorPrimary FunctionClinical & Training FocusLower Extremity PowerForce generation from the groundSquats, jumps, explosive lower-body force productionKinematic SequencingTransferring force up the kinetic chainAuditory cueing, rhythm drills, metronome synchronizationWorkload & Load ManagementControlling cumulative joint fatigueTracking pitch counts, training volume, and day-to-day loads
Actionable Strategies for Athletic Trainers and Physical Therapists
When designing rehabilitation protocols or performance programs for young overhead throwers, focus should remain on foundational movement rather than isolated arm exercises.
1. Build Power from the Legs
Forces delivered at ball release originate in the lower body. Training should prioritize lower extremity power, squat performance, and jumping mechanics. The upper extremity primarily serves as the vehicle for delivering the force generated by the legs and core.
2. Implement External Auditory Cueing
Because a baseball pitch is delivered in approximately 250 milliseconds, the human brain cannot consciously process complex internal mechanical adjustments mid-throw.
To overcome this, Dr. Garrison advocates for external cueing using simple tools like a metronome:
Managing Athlete Capacity and Gaining Buy-In
Addressing biomechanics effectively also requires managing realistic athlete capacities and behavioral compliance:
Summary & Guest Information
Addressing throwing mechanics requires a comprehensive approach that prioritizes lower-body force generation, external timing cues, and careful workload management.
YouTube Presentation: https://youtu.be/FGm5caSDJDg
The post Addressing Faulty Throwing Mechanics: Biomechanics, Sequencing, and Injury Risk appeared first on The Sports Medicine Broadcast.
