The baseball season is in full swing and many players are facing the frustrating
characteristics of "Dead Arm."
A month ago you were throwing in the mid-to high 80's and now you are struggling to touch
80mph. "What happened? What is wrong with my arm?"
"Dead Arm" is truly one of baseball's biggest mysteries and can affect both pitchers and position players.
The symptoms of dead arm can be associated with and without pain but the defining characteristic is a
drop in throwing velocity of between 3-8 mph. Many players think their arm is injured and get an MRI
only to find out that there is no structural damage. So what is going on with these arms that have no
obvious structural damage?
Classic "Dead Arm" is usually caused from one or a combination of the following conditions:
1. Rotator cuff muscles are deconditioned or fatigued.
The function of the rotator cuff muscles is to stabilize the humeral head (ball) in the glenoid (socket)
When these vital muscles are deconditioned or fatigued they are rendered ineffective in offering dynamic
stability during high velocity throwing. This loss of stability is enough to allow the humeral head to
migrate superiorly (move up in the socket), causing impingement of the rotator cuff tendons, and or
superior labrum.
2. Scapular dyskinesis
Scapular dyskinesis is an alteration in the normal position and motion of the scapula (shoulder blade). The
scapula and the arm move in rhythm with each other. When the scapular stabilizing muscles are not
functioning correctly, it not only affects the stability of the shoulder, but it also reduces the transfer of
energy from the trunk to the arm, thus reducing throwing velocity. This is why we call the "scap" the
weak link in the kinetic chain for throwing athletes.
3. Tight posterior shoulder.
The posterior rotator cuff muscles can tighten due to the repetitive micro-trauma that occurs during the
decelerating phase of the throwing motion. A tight posterior cuff is one of the main contributors to GIRD
(glenohumeral internal rotation deficit) which increases the risk of injury unless proactively managed
with a targeted stretching routine for the posterior shoulder. routine.
The first condition listed above, deconditioned rotator cuff muscles, can be properly addressed by using
the Crossover Symmetry Rotator Cuff and Scapular Strengthening System. The second condition,
scapular dyskinesis, can be targeted by using IRON SCAP, the new high-intensity scapular strengthening
program designed for throwing athletes. The tight posterior shoulder can be addressed in less than two
minutes by simply adding this stretching routine following practice or a game. Take these proactive steps
and don't let "Dead Arm" affect your performance this season.
1. Circles
Select the appropriate Crossover Cord. Grab the single Crossover Cord with your throwing arm.
Facing the eye level attachment, backup until there is resistance on the cord. While maintaining
good posture, bend over at the waist. Relax your throwing arm and perform 15 circles clockwise
and 15 circles counterclockwise. The diameter of the circles should be around 10 inches. Focus
on relaxing your muscles.
2. Crossbody Over
Select the appropriate Crossover Cord. Grab the single Crossover Cord with your throwing arm.
With your body facing sideways to the attachment and the throwing arm to the outside, walk
away from the attachment until there is resistance on the cord. With your opposite hand, grab
your elbow and pull it toward your neck. Relax your muscles and hold the stretch for 30 seconds.
Do not be over aggressive with this stretch.
3. Crossbody Under
Select the appropriate Crossover Cord. Grab the single Crossover Cord with your throwing arm.
With your body facing sideways to the attachment and the throwing arm to the outside, walk
away from the attachment until there is resistance on the cord. While maintaining good posture,
bend over at the waist. With your opposite hand, grab your tricep and pull it toward your chest.
Relax your muscles and hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Do not be over aggressive with this
stretch