Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
09:49
Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
Injuries and medical issues in softball
1Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Susannah.briskin@uhhospitals.org
Current Sports Medicine Reports
|September 12, 2012
Summary
Softball pitchers face overuse injuries in their throwing arms due to improper mechanics and high pitch counts. Implementing safety measures like breakaway bases and protective gear can reduce acute injuries in this popular sport.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Softball is a widely played sport with millions of participants across all age groups and skill levels.
- Pitchers in softball, particularly those using the windmill motion, are susceptible to overuse injuries in the throwing arm.
- Factors such as inadequate pitching mechanics and insufficient pitch count monitoring can elevate the risk of pitching-related injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify common softball injuries and discuss potential injury prevention strategies.
- To highlight the risks associated with pitching mechanics and overuse.
- To suggest interventions for reducing both acute and overuse injuries in softball players.
Main Methods:
- Review of common softball injuries, categorizing them into overuse and acute injuries.
- Analysis of factors contributing to pitching-related injuries, including mechanics and pitch counts.
- Evaluation of proposed safety measures and off-season training components for injury reduction.
Main Results:
- Common overuse injuries include proximal biceps tendinitis, upper extremity stress fractures, and ulnar neuritis.
- Acute injuries frequently affect the lower extremities, encompassing fractures and ligamentous injuries, with sliding contributing significantly.
- Protective equipment and rule changes, such as breakaway bases and mandatory headgear, show potential for decreasing acute injuries.
Conclusions:
- Implementing proper throwing and sliding mechanics, alongside core conditioning and neuromuscular training, is crucial for off-season preparation.
- Addressing improper mechanics and monitoring pitch counts can mitigate the risk of overuse injuries in windmill pitchers.
- Safety enhancements like breakaway bases and protective headgear may reduce the incidence of acute injuries in softball.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
01:17Pericarditis III: Medical Management
The primary objectives of managing pericarditis are to determine the underlying cause, provide effective therapy for treatment and symptom relief, and promptly detect signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The following outlines the essential aspects of medical management for pericarditis:ObjectivesDetermine the Cause: Identifying the underlying cause of pericarditis is crucial for targeted treatment. Causes include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, post-cardiac injury syndrome, and...
01:21Cellular Injury II: Classification
Cellular injury is any process that disrupts a cell’s ability to maintain homeostasis, leading to structural or functional changes. It is broadly classified based on etiology (cause) and mechanism of damage.Classification by EtiologyCellular injury may result from several causes. Hypoxic injury happens due to reduced oxygen delivery, most commonly from inadequate blood supply, such as arterial obstruction; for example, coronary artery thrombosis can cause myocardial infarction. Chemical injury...
01:24Flail Chest-I
Overview of Flail Chest
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
01:00Cellular Injury I: Introduction
Cellular injury occurs when a cell cannot maintain homeostasis or adapt to stressors such as hypoxia, toxins, or trauma. Depending on severity and duration, injury may be reversible, allowing recovery, or irreversible, leading to cell death.General Mechanisms of Cell InjuryAlthough causes vary, most cellular injuries arise from a few key mechanisms that disrupt essential functions and often amplify one another. Cell survival depends on the extent and balance of these disturbances.ATP depletion...