Science and Research

Q: What is the progress of the research?
A: Safethrow has collected measurements on 1668 players, and 1267 data sets qualified for presentation. This has been accepted, and Dr. Metzger will be presenting the project at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons on March 10, 2010, in New Orleans, La. Read the Summary and Abstract here.

Q: What are we measuring?
A: Degree of rotation of both shoulders. Comparing throwing to non-throwing gives us parameters that tell us if a player might be at risk for injury.

Q: What have you learned about throwing injuries?
A: For the Kyle Chapman Pony League, detailed statistics are completed.

Q: Why are we doing this research?
A: To try to help players lower their risk for injury so that they can play longer and not have to quit baseball because their throwing arm hurts (this is unfortuantely very common).

Q: What specific questions are you looking to answer?
A:The primary goals of this research include:

1. Specify the exact amounts of posterior capsular stretching that returns thrower's shoulders to low-risk range of motion
2. Stratify throwing injury risk by age and type of sport, looking at softball and baseball
3. Correlate number of pitches per year to risk of developing injury
4. Correlate age at which pitching began to risk of developing injury
5. Confirm that overhead pitching is the highest risk position for developing injuries, as compared to other postitions
6. Identify the age at which arm throwing injuries occur or become most problematic
7. Identify the ages at which arm throwing injuries can be best prevented
8. Document the frequency of occurence of injuries that do occur
9. Document the reduced rate of injury for SafeThrow participants compared to historical controls (throwers who have been studied by other investigators in the past but did not undergo preventative treatments as are emphasized at SafeThrow)

All throwers who are screened will always be asked if use of their measurements is permitted. The individual will never be identified in any publication.