By Ross Bailey, TCU

Athletes who throw smaller objects (baseballs) require finer motor control and thus take longer to progress through rehabilitation than, say,  basketball players.  So, please be patient with yourself - give your body a chance!

To understand why you need rehab...

Discharge Criteria for Return to Play

• Mental Readiness of the athlete
• Isokinetic Testing - the injured side should be within 10% variance of the non injured side.
• Peak Torque - strength
• Power - explosive power - repeatable
• Work - endurance
• Total work - fatigue
• Eccentric work is hard to test, but it is very important for the throwing athlete.
• Proper biomechanics - arthorkinematics - scapulothoracic mechanics
• Pain free range of motion and pain free throwing
• No impingement symptoms
• Flexibility to within normal limits
• Completion of progressive throwing program
• Physician release to return to full activity

Advanced Rehab Exercises - Progressive Throwing Program...

Phase	Repetition	Program
Week 1	Every other day	5-10 minute warm-up Toss the ball - no wind up, limit distance to 30 ft. 15 minute max of actual throwing
Week 2	Every other day	5-10 minute warm-up Toss the ball - no wind up 5 minutes - 30 ft throw 10 minutes - 60 ft throw
Week 3	Daily	10 minute warm-up 5 minutes - 30 ft throw 5 minutes - 60 ft throw 15 minutes - lob throwing - 90 ft All throws continue at reduced speed with no windup
Week 4	Daily	10 minute warm-up 5 minutes - 60 ft throw - reduced speed 10 minutes - 90 ft lob throw 5 minutes - 60 ft throw - on line 3/4 speed 5 minute - 60 ft throw - lob throw cool down
Week 5	Daily	10 minute warm-up - Windup is ok 5 minutes - 60 ft throw - reduced speed 10 minutes - 90 ft lob throw 10 minutes - 90 ft - line throw minimal lob 3/4 speed 5 minute - 60 ft lob throw cool down
Week 6	Daily	10 minute warm-up 10 minute - 60 ft throw - reduced speed 5 minute - 90 ft lob throw 30 pitches or position specific throws 3/4 speed 5 minute - 90 ft 3/4 speed throw 1 5 minute - 120 ft lob, 3 hop from outfield to home plate 5 minute - 60 ft lob cool down
Weeks 7-10 Pitchers     OR...	Every other day	10 minute warm-up, Windup is ok 15 minutes - 60 ft 30 straight balls - reduced speed 10 curve balls - reduced speed 10 sliders - reduced speed 10 fast balls - 3/4 speed 10 fast balls - full speed Mixed pitches - no more than 50 5 minutes rest prior to practice or game
Weeks 7-10 Fielders	Every other day	10 minute warm up 30 straight balls - 60 ft - reduced speed 30 straight balls - 90 ft - 3/4 speed 30 straight balls - 120 + ft, 2 hop from outfield to home plate 15 straight balls - maximum speed Position specific throws - no more than 50 Stretch posterior shoulder muscles Rest 3-5 minutes prior to game or practice

Always stretch prior to throwing and ice the shoulder and elbow after throwing. This is an example program. Throwing specifics will vary depending upon the injury, level of rehab, and the procedures used for surgery. Pain should always be a guide and an indication of too much activity. Do not rely solely on WebBall for advice, please consult a sports medicine specialiost or certified trainer.