Shoulder Strength

Why is shoulder strength so important for overhead athletes? The obvious answer is that volleyball players need strength to serve a volleyball and pitchers need rotator cuff and scapular strength to throw a fastball past a batter. Another answer is that increased rotator cuff and scapular strength is predictive of reduced injury risk in athletes. In a recent study by Byram et al in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, preseason shoulder strength testing in a group of professional baseball pitchers was able to identify pitchers who were more likely to get hurt during the season. In fact, the pitchers with the weaker strength values in the preseason were more likely to have an injury during the season requiring surgical intervention.

For any overhead athlete, rotator cuff strengthening, scapular strengthening, and core or total body strengthening is critical for athletic success, improved performance, and injury prevention. Can we help you meet your athletic goals? Contact us today!

Byram IR et al. Preseason shoulder strength measurements in professional baseball pitchers Am J Sports Med. 2010; 38(7): 1375-1382.