This is the second article regarding healthy participation in overhead sports as a youth athlete. Overuse injuries occur in 30% of youth baseball and softball players and can cause lifelong impairments. Adequate recovery time, correct throwing mechanics, and building a healthy musculoskeletal base are the primary way to create injury-proof baseball and softball players.

The changes that the Covid-19 pandemic brought to our world have forced us to re-evaluate “normalcy.” This includes every facet of daily life: jobs, schools, and even youth sports. It is worth considering that a return to “normal” may not be in the best interest of the health of youth overhead athletes. In this series of articles, I will detail the effect of high-volume throwing programs, year-round overhead sports specialization, and how to prevent injuries and improve overall health of youth overhead athletes.

Low back discomfort that comes with certain movements is very often attributable to muscular imbalances, which are treatable with conservative measures such as physical therapy.