Key Strengthening for the Throwing Athelete

There are many exercises which therapists use to strengthen the rotator cuffs and shoulder girdles of overhead and throwing atheletes. It is important for clinicians and students who are new to working with atheletes to understand which exercises are key to a successful recovery. Below I have listed key exercises for the throwing athelete as determined by the American Sports Medicine Athelete. Emphasis is placed on strengthening of the internal rotators (especially at 90 degrees of abduction), external rotators, mid-trap, lower trap and serratus anterior. Although not included in the list below, it is important to remember that “core” strength and hip flexibility play a potentially large role our patients’ biomechanics. This is especially true in overhead atheletes and pitchers. Therefore, along with these “staple” exercises it is important to assess each individual’s needs and treat them accordingly.

1. Diagonal Pattern D2 extension
2. Diagonal Pattern D2 flexion
3. External Rotation at 0 degrees of abduction
4. Internal Rotation at 0 degrees of abduction
5. External Rotation at 90 degrees of abduction
6. Internal Rotation at 90 degrees of abduction
7. Shoulder Abduction to 90 degrees
8. Scaption to 90 degrees
9. Prone Horizontal Abduction with shoulder in neutral IR/ER
10. Prone Horiztonal Abduction with shoulder at 100 abduction and full ER
11. Seated UE press-ups with hands shoulder width apart and shoulders in neutral IR/ER (push downward through hands to elevate the body)
12. Prone Rows
13. Push-ups with a plus- beginning on a wall -> table -> floor
14. Elbow flexion with shoulder in neutral
15. Elbow Extension with the shoulder abducted
16. Wrist Flexion
17. Wrist Extension
18. Wrist Pronation
19. Wrist Supination
20. General Strengthening Exercises can be progressed to dynamic strengthening including UE plyometrics, rhythmic stabilization and MREs