Very interesting article regarding over use sports injuries and year round specialization.

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This is why I am glad my daughter plays several sports and doesn't focus on softball year around and this comes from the most famous sports related injury ortho surgeon - Dr. James Andrews:

"PD: Why the spike in youth injuries? J.A.: Multiple factors, but two stand out: specialization and what we call professionalism.
Specialization leads to playing the sport year-round. That means not only an increase in risk factors for traumatic injuries but a sky-high increase in overuse injuries. Almost half of sports injuries in adolescents stem from overuse.
Professionalism is taking these kids at a young age and trying to work them as if they are pro athletes, in terms of training and year-round activity".

and under the debunked myths article:
6: Fast-pitch softball, with its windmill delivery, can't produce injuries to the thrower's shoulder or elbow.
There is a common belief that throwing underhand is a natural way to keep the player safe from injury, but this definitely is not true. ... Pitching limits matter in softball as much as they do in baseball.


Noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews wants your young athlete to stay healthy by playing less | cleveland.com

 

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great article. Long but worth it to see how the Doc is such a great sports fan as well as surgeon. I shared it with our org. Good stuff!

We went to a Cincinnati Reds Strength and Conditioning session and their head of S&C said to take at least 1 month off, minimum. For the same reasons as noted in the article.

The Static founders created an organizational plan that actually encourages multiple sports and even at the same time it conflicts with softball at times. Love that our their "back then" was to do that and it isn't without headache for the coaches but best for the players. We specialize, but, more in the "softball" season(s). And, let them be kids... otherwise they will have hindsight regrets.

Again, thanks for sharing this article.

 

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I was just reading this article at lunch. For the online version, scroll about 1/3 way down - there's a link for another article "Andrews debunks sports myths". Read it - it mentions windmill motion, and the effects of overuse.

 

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from the article about myths:

6: Fast-pitch softball, with its windmill delivery, can't produce injuries to the thrower's shoulder or elbow.



There is a common belief that throwing underhand is a natural way to keep the player safe from injury, but this definitely is not true. ... Pitching limits matter in softball as much as they do in baseball.

 

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Nice article

 

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I was just reading this article at lunch. For the online version, scroll about 1/3 way down - there's a link for another article "Andrews debunks sports myths". Read it - it mentions windmill motion, and the effects of overuse.

Yep, right after I posted I saw the link and went and read that as well and then added it to my post. and yet we still see girls pitching every inning of every game without a break - it's crazy.

 

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Dr. Andrews has written an excellent book on this subject - Any Given Monday.

From tennis elbow to severe trauma, Dr. James Andrews has treated countless sports injuries during his unparalleled medical career. An orthopedic surgeon, well known for performing Tommy John surgeries, and a consultant to some of the fiercest teams in college and professional sports, Dr. Andrews is the father of modern sports medicine and one of the most influential figures in the world of athletics. In Any Given Monday, he distills his practical wisdom and professional advice to combat a growing epidemic of injury among sports? most vulnerable population: its young athletes.

Every year more than 3.5 million children will require medical treatment for sports-related injuries, the majority of which are avoidable through proper training and awareness. Any Given Monday is Dr. Andrews?s sport-by-sport guide to injury prevention and treatment, written specifically for the parents, grandparents, and coaches of young athletes. From identifying eating disorders to preventing career-ending ACL tears and concussions, Any Given Monday is a compendium of practical advice for every major sport, including football, gymnastics, judo, basketball, tennis, baseball, cheerleading, wrestling, and more. This invaluable guide reveals how young athletes can maximize their talent and maintain a lifetime of health both on the field and off.

He also has other excellent publications available from his American Sports Medicine Institute Library and Store.

Preventive & Rehabilitative Exercises for the Shoulder & Elbow ($10 booklet)

This book provides information on preventive and rehabilitative exercise routines for athletes, coaches, and even parents. Learn from descriptions and illustrations on how to properly utilize various stretching, strengthening, and plyometric exercises. Detailed information is also provided for the interval-throwing program (adults and youth) including golf, tennis, and racquetball.

 

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This is why my dd's team is off from Thanksgiving to March with a few trips to batting cages. The girls are encouraged to play basketball to stay fit.

 

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Our dd's sports medicine doctor at Akron Children's Hospital -- Dr. John Congeni -- put us on that path a couple of years ago, after our dd had two straight years of overuse injuries compressed back disc and stretched shoulder ligament. She takes 3 months off after the summer with no throwing of any kind. Dr. Congeni, who is one of the leading youth sports medicine specialists in the country, said no more than 9 months of a sports specific activity. The three months off she has the option of exercise, mainly core work. She has learned her lesson, and has ticked off some coaches who want her to cut corners, but she's learned to listen to her body the hard way because she knows what hard work rehab is.

 

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I totally agree and have encouraged parents for years to let kids be kids and take a break from softball once a year. We pitch from November till March 1 at a slow rate building up to the girls reporting. After summer ball is over, I say take a break and try something different. There's more to a girl's life than diamonds. lol