Read these 10 Conditioning/Fitness Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Baseball tips and hundreds of other topics.
Be sure to get a full array of aerobic training during the off-season, and maintain aerobic training during the season. Aerobic training will help provide much needed stamina and help prevent injury.
Pitchers too now work out with weights. But, whereas hitters can get away with a little bulk, pitchers must maintain their full range of motion. Keep all workouts light and maintain a stringent stretching routine. Concentrate on legs and make sure your upper body does not get bulky.
Baseball players often have a problem with aerobic conditioning because they find the treadmill or the stationary bike boring. To battle this ennui, try getting involved with an activity that will be aerobically beneficial, but interesting. Karate, Tae-Bo, Spinning®, and even Yoga are great alternatives.
A wise man once told me, you can't control a lot of things in baseball. You can't control the weather. You can't control the umpires. You can't control the field condition...
But, the one thing you can control is what kind of shape you are in and how well you have prepared for the season.
Weight training used to be frowned on in the game of baseball. Now, everybody trains with weights. If you are going to train with weights, consult a professional to help you develop a program that will maintain your range of motion.
1. Torn Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is composed of four muscles that help support the arm and allow it to move up, down and rotate. A torn rotator cuff causes baseball players to experience pain and limited movement in their shoulder joint. Proper stretching and weightlifting to strengthen muscles can help players avoid this injury.
2. Bursitis of the Elbow
Bursitis of the elbow occurs when the fluid filled sack of the elbow, the bursa, is hit or irritated, causing it to become inflamed or full of fluid. As soon as baseball players notice their elbows beginning to swell, they should rest and compress, ice and elevate the area to keep the condition from worsening.
3. Finger Fractures
It is not uncommon for baseball players to fracture a finger when they catch a fast ball or when they are hit by the ball when at bat. Players can reduce the risk of fractures by wearing a proper mitt while in the outfield and by paying attention to poor pitches.
4. Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is not just for tennis players. Baseball players can also get the condition after swinging a bat repeatedly. Baseball players should be sure to eat right and exercise to keep their muscles in excellent shape. They should also rest their arms when needed.
5. Knee Injuries
When baseball players make sudden changes in direction while they are running quickly, they put themselves at risk of injuring the ligaments surrounding their knees. Baseball players can prevent this injury by making more fluid movements instead of short, jerky stops when possible.
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