Youth pitchers have a 5 percent chance of sustaining a serious throwing injury within 10 years of play, and pitching more than 100 innings in a year significantly increases the risk of injury, according to a study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine.
In a 10-year study, 481 youth pitchers were interviewed annually for surgery related to shoulder, elbow and throwing injuries. Tests were also administered to investigate the risk of injury for pitchers throwing more than 100 innings in a calendar year and starting curveballs before age 13.
The cumulative incidence of injury was 5 percent, while participants who pitched more than 100 innings in a year were 3.5 times more likely to be injured. Pitchers who concomitantly played catcher were also injured more frequently. Researchers were unable to find a trend in young players pitching curveballs.
Read the abstract for "Risk of Serious Injury for Young Baseball Pitchers: A 10-Year Prospective Study."
Read other coverage on sports medicine studies:
- Study: Stress Located in the Elbow for Baseball Pitchers
- Study: Shoulder Stabilization Shortens an NFL Player's Career
- Study: Double-Bundle PCL Reconstruction Using a Single Sling an Effective Procedure
In a 10-year study, 481 youth pitchers were interviewed annually for surgery related to shoulder, elbow and throwing injuries. Tests were also administered to investigate the risk of injury for pitchers throwing more than 100 innings in a calendar year and starting curveballs before age 13.
The cumulative incidence of injury was 5 percent, while participants who pitched more than 100 innings in a year were 3.5 times more likely to be injured. Pitchers who concomitantly played catcher were also injured more frequently. Researchers were unable to find a trend in young players pitching curveballs.
Read the abstract for "Risk of Serious Injury for Young Baseball Pitchers: A 10-Year Prospective Study."
Read other coverage on sports medicine studies:
- Study: Stress Located in the Elbow for Baseball Pitchers
- Study: Shoulder Stabilization Shortens an NFL Player's Career
- Study: Double-Bundle PCL Reconstruction Using a Single Sling an Effective Procedure