Eight Essentials of Post-Pitching Recovery

By By Jim Ronai MS, PT, ATC, CSCS Member, USA Baseball Medical/Safety Advisory Committee /  August 11, 2009

The institution of the pitch count in youth baseball represents a positive step towards ensuring that the game of baseball is safer both in the present and future careers of young pitchers.

As an adjunct to this new pitch count regulation and in an attempt to protect the health and safety of youth baseball pitchers, the following post-performance suggestions are offered. Since most youth baseball pitchers are typically removed from the mound, but not necessarily from the game, these suggestions are intended for post-game or for a time when the pitcher is considered done for the day.

1. Children learn most effectively with a consistent routine. All athletes need to have a routine that they perform both pre- and post-game. The routine should be monitored and consistent. Athletes need to know that the routine needs to be completed correctly before they will be permitted to participate in subsequent game or practice play.

2. Perform a “cool down activity.” Have pitchers jog for four to six minutes, to the point when they start to sweat. This increases general blood flow throughout the body and prepares the body for a post-performance flexibility routine. Increasing blood flow allows the body to circulate oxygenated blood to fatigued muscles. Oxygenated blood helps soft tissues recover and heal following activity.

Here is the entire article:
http://web.usabaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090811&content_id=6372044&vkey=news_usab&gid= 

Coach Mills Comments:

This is a pretty good article with some good advice for the most part except for the #6 essential which says…

6. Having a cooler of ice available in the dugout is an important part of optimizing a pitcher’s recovery. Keep a few bags of ice available for pitchers to apply to their shoulders and elbows following a pitching outing. Never apply ice directly to the skin or for more than 12-15 minutes. Also be aware of the Ulnar nerve found in the area of the “funny bone,” and be sure not to apply ice directly over it.

The author, who has credentials needs to look at the research on icing.  There is no research that supports icing. It is counterproductive and should not be used after pitching or should not be used for injuries in general.  See my article and the research on icing.

3. Spend five minutes on a post-game, “static flexibility program.” Incorporate movements for the forearms, shoulders as well as the torso and lower body.

For those interested in a pre-pitching warm-up and post-pitching recovery routine, here is one we recommend. Watch the video for more information.

Article Source: Pitching.com