Arm action or arm path is something we’ve been receiving questions about continually so we have decided to cover some of the things you can look for when looking a an athlete’s mechanics. Slow motion video has allowed us to better diagnose biomechanical faults and more deeply understand arm action based on anatomy and machine […]
Throwing Arm Path – What To Look For! Read More »
Graston or IASTM is a common technique used in therapy and clinical settings to address soft tissue hypo-mobility and to increase blood flow to tissues. We also use it for recovery purposes at the OAI even for athletes who are healthy but are sore or in between throwing outings. Graston can be a useful tool
Graston Therapy (Recover FASTER!!) Read More »
Weak mid and low traps can result in an array of dysfunction and pain for overhead athletes due to the inability to control the position of their scapula with scapular winging, dyskinesis, and malpositioning. The middle trapezius and lower trapezius are responsible for eccentrically stabilizing the scapula in the deceleration phases of the throwing motion.
Best Exercises for Scapular Dyskinesis (Mid Low Trap Beginner to Advanced) Read More »
Have you heard of dry needling? Check it out in the video above and find out how we integrate it into our treatments!
Dry Needling Physical Therapy (Baseball Pitcher!!!) Read More »
We have had many questions on how to increase arm strength for baseball players. All baseball players, not just pitchers, need to strengthen their throwing arms and this doesn’t happen by throwing a ball. To improve arm strength baseball players should have a specific and effective arm strengthening routine. This video will go through 5
Baseball Exercises For Arm Strength Read More »
Welcome to Overhead Athletic Institute: Medical Management and Performance Enhancement for Overhead Athletes The OAI exercise program is designed to address specific individual aspects of muscle activation, proximal stabilization, and RTC strength, each of which has been shown to contribute to efficient pitching mechanics. These exercises must be performed perfectly in order for them to be remotely
Static stability exercises must include proper positioning throughout the entire excursion of motion to have the intended physiological and stabilization effect. Deviation from the correct positioning defeats the purpose of the exercise. At the OAI we create more rotational stability and elastic range in your tissues to allow athletes to use the individual phases of our throwing
OAI Static Stability Exercises Read More »
The purpose of the dynamic exercises is to incorporate controlled rotational stability with combined upper and lower extremity movement patterns. The throwing motion is a violent three dimensional combined movement pattern. It requires rotational stability and dynamic flexibility from beginning to end. The body will always follow the path of least resistance. These exercises will challenge you
OAI Dynamic Stability Exercises Read More »
There are individuals on the Internet right now (former professional pitchers, college athletes, strength and conditioning coaches) that spend most of their time invalidating each other in order to substantiate their programs. Many of these individuals use disparaging comments about the specificity of speed and weight training, weighted ball usage, or weighted vests and how none of
Questions To Ask Yourself When Choosing An Overhead Athletic Program Read More »
Our exercises are designed to increase the static and dynamic rotational stability of the entire kinetic chain throughout the various phases of the overhead throwing motion. Each exercise must be performed to perfection in order for them to have functional correlation to the physiological demands placed on the musculoskeletal system. The exercises increase the elastic range of
Specificity of Types of Muscle Fibers Type IIB and Type IIA Muscle Fiber Types and Specificity Type IIB muscle fibers are fast twitch glycolytic and are the speed producers. Type IIA muscle fibers are fast twitch oxidative and are intermediate speed producers. Structured training has been proven to make our recruitment of muscle types more efficient. The recruitment
Maximize Your Muscle Type Read More »
Three phenomenal serratus exercises to effectively alter the resting postion of the scapula. Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel Overhead Athletics!
Altering The Resting Position Of The Scapula (Serratus Anterior) Read More »
We show you how to properly perform the sleeper stretch so you don’t risk causing internal impingement. When performing the sleeper stretch we use active protraction, depression, and internal rotation.
Shoulder Posterior Capsule Stretch (Yes, you should do it) Read More »
Electromyographic (EMG) studies have determined the peak muscle activity in the Cocking, Acceleration, and Deceleration Phases of the throwing motion required to center the shoulder in the socket. Scapulothoracic positioning during each of these phases is of paramount importance and is a multifaceted evaluation process. Mobility of the scapula around the rib cage must be assessed
Classification and Mechanism of Common Shoulder Injuries in Throwing Athletes Read More »
The throwing motion has been divided into many different phases. At the OAI we break down the throwing motion into 8 phases. We evaluate each individual phase to determine if the athlete is maintaining stability and using their body correctly to create effortless velocity and power. These are the Eight Phases (in order of how they
Compensations In The Throwing Motion That Rob You Of Speed Read More »
Train at the Overhead Athletic Institute with one of our OAI Certified Professional Trainers In the state of Michigan and in 48 other states you now have direct access. As an athlete you can now go to a physical therapist and be evaluated and receive treatment without a script from a physician. This is a
Why Athletes Need A Therapist! Read More »
Long Toss has been used by many coaches and teams as a means to increase arm strength and endurance. There has never been any statistical justification or evidence based research study to support this anecdotal method of training. Long toss does more damage than good. Avoid hurting your arm. Don’t change your angles. Stop long
Stop Long Toss Immediately Read More »
Today’s athletes are expected to be more specialized at a much earlier age. This is both good and bad. From the perspective of skill acquisition and the timing and repetition required to become or approach elite status, specialization may have a benefit. From the perspective of over-training and diversification of activity, early specialization may negatively
Rotator Cuff and Tommy John Injuries Read More »
The Rotator Cuff’s role in the throwing motion is to center the humeral head of the shoulder in the socket of the scapula. The muscles of the Rotator Cuff (RTC) and the muscles that attach the shoulder blade (scapula) to the rib cage control the position that the shoulder stays in during every phases of the throwing motion.
Rotator Cuff Complete Read More »
