The Difference Between Throwing and Practice Volumes in Youth Softball Athletes With and Without Upper Extremity Pain.

Background: Research indicates that mechanics differ between athletes with and without upper extremity pain; however, it is unclear which modifiable risk factors exist for throwing-related pain in softball athletes.

Purpose: To determine whether sport specialization, throwing, practice, and strength and conditioning training volumes vary between youth softball athletes with and without upper extremity pain. It was hypothesized that youth softball athletes with upper extremity pain would participate in softball year-round and have greater throwing, practice, and strength and conditioning volumes compared with those without pain.

Single-Leg Squat and Reported Pain in Collegiate Softball Pitchers.

Background: Single-leg squat (SLS) performance is related to altered mechanics related to injury during the windmill softball pitch; however, it is unknown if SLS kinematics differ between softball pitchers with and without upper extremity pain.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare knee valgus, trunk rotation, trunk lateral flexion, and trunk flexion during an SLS in collegiate softball pitchers with and without self-reported upper extremity pain. It was hypothesized that those who reported upper extremity pain would show increased compensatory trunk and knee kinematics compared with those without pain.

Training Background and Characteristics of NFL, MLB, and NBA Team Physicians.

Background: An analysis of the demographics and training of head team physicians (HTPs) in professional sports would be valuable for evaluating training programs and as a resource for aspirant HTPs.

Purpose: To outline common characteristics among professional sport HTPs.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Blood Flow Restriction Using a Pneumatic Tourniquet Is Not Associated With a Cellular Systemic Response.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) using a pneumatic tourniquet on CD34 cells, platelets, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, lactate, and glucose compared with standard exercise.

Methods: Fifteen healthy volunteers (8 males and 7 females, 28.6 ± 3.

Adolescent Baseball Pitchers With Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tears Exhibit a High Proportion of Partial Tears.

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears in the throwing elbow are classified according to grade and location using magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA). However, the frequency of each tear type and the association to age, competition level, and radiographic findings in adolescent baseball pitchers are unknown.

Purposes: The primary purpose of this study was to use MRA to characterize the severity, location, and UCL tear type in adolescent pitchers.