Athletes who participate in sports or activities that involve repetitive upper arm and shoulder movements throughout an overhead arc are known as overhead athletes. Young athletes that play overhead sports such as baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, and swimming, may be predisposed to risk factors for injury due to the nature of their sport. In fact, over 14% of baseball players between the ages of nine and 12 will develop shoulder pain. Of significant concern are those youth athletes who have immature skeletal systems, play sports year round, and play on multiple teams. The Nicklaus Children’s Overhead Athlete Program is designed to identify and correct for mobility, force, and movement errors that increase the risk of an injury.
Know Risk Factors for Overhead Athletes
- Play sports year round
- Play on multiple teams
- Previous injuries
- High pitch counts
Overhead Athlete Screening
Individual Screening (60 minutes)
Our Overhead Athlete Program consists of a comprehensive screen to assess specifics of the kinetic chain that directly affect your athlete's ability to perform overhead activities. Sports like baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, and swimming rely on both lower extremity and upper extremity muscle function and performance.
By taking a regional approach, our screens help to identify deficiencies in the elbow, shoulder, trunk, and hip which may lead to an injury. Some capacities assessed include flexibility, strength, and power. With this information, the athlete can take measures to reduce their risk of injury.
Our facility is equipped to video record your baseball or softball athlete’s throw from various angles to identify movement deviations that may potentially increase stress on the throwing shoulder and/or elbow.
Please contact 786-624-5110 for information on pricing.
Overhead Athlete Training
Using the results of the comprehensive screen, our knowledgeable staff can program a thorough and well-rounded fitness program to improve performance and decrease injury risk.
Single Sessions
- 30-min session
- 45-min session
- 60-min session
Please contact 786-624-5110 for information on pricing.
Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedic, Sports Medicine, and Spine Institute offers appointments with board-certified orthopedists specialized in sports medicine injuries in locations throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Visit nicklauschildrens.org/sportshealth to learn more.