SUNDAY, April 4 (HealthDayNews) -- Baseball and softball are wonderful sports for children, but players in some positions face a higher risk of injuries to their still-growing bones and muscles. For pitchers, overuse of the elbow or shoulder is the most common culprit. Up to 45 percent of baseball and softball pitchers under the age of 12 experience chronic elbow pain, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Among high school pitchers, that increases to 58 percent. To prevent these injuries, many youth sports organizations have set a limit of six innings of pitching per week and require pitchers to rest between appearances. NIH says that teaching youngsters the proper mechanics of pitching can also prevent serious overuse injuries. Other recommendations to prevent injuries to young pitchers include:
More information Learn more about how to prevent pitching and other injuries in youth baseball and softball from the American Academy of Pediatrics. (SOURCE: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; SAFE USA ) Copyright © 2004 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved. HealthDayNews articles are derived from various sources and do not reflect federal policy. healthfinder® does not endorse opinions, products, or services that may appear in news stories. For more information on health topics in the news, visit the healthfinder® health library. |