Professionals and top college players use ArmCare to strengthen and protect their throwing arms. But at what age should a player start using the ArmCare App? Even if it supports performance and health at every age, it might not be the right fit for every young player if they’re not psychologically ready.
Rundown
- Should youth pitchers do arm care?
- What about players younger than 13 years old?
- What should you consider before starting ArmCare with a Little League player?
- Why it’s best to start ArmCare at a young Age.
Should youth pitchers do arm care?
Many parents are concerned about the strengthening involved with any arm care program. They believe it might be bad if they start too young. While this is understandable, the truth is that arm care can be done safely at any age as long as there is the right dose and resistance. The ArmCare App focuses on functional exercises and proper technique to ensure that muscles are not over-stressed or overworked.
It’s important to understand that a competitive player cares if they win the game and if they are one of the best players on the field. Because of that drive, they will do everything possible to get a competitive edge on the field and in practices. Therefore, their body must be physically capable of handling that stress before pushing their ability in an ultra-competitive environment.
When done correctly, arm care can help athletes of all ages develop strength and prevent unnecessary injuries from occurring because they are bound to stress their bodies on the field.
You shouldn’t be scared of resistance training because it will give them a small dose of the stress they will experience when they enter a competitive environment and help them face that demand.
What about players younger than 13 years old?
Even players younger than 13 are ready for the ArmCare App and will see a massive benefit from adding it to their program. When done correctly, the ArmCare App can teach kids of all ages proper technique through in-app instruction and provide safe resistance recommendations based on their strengths.
The ArmCare App also provides exercises that are a step beyond what traditional “arm care” programs offer, which helps to bridge the gap from a little league player to a high school one.
The ArmCare app delivers exercises to develop the back, rotator cuff, and grip muscles, as well as leg and core training to create a comprehensive program for players of any age. To accomplish this ArmCare uses resistance bands and bodyweight exercises that allow a young player to complete their program on the field or at home without needing a gym setting and with little to no risk involved.
We know players as young as 7 and 8 who have successfully added ArmCare to their training and have reported tremendous benefits. They have better strength to throw with better mechanics and developed better coordination for their overall athleticism.
What should you consider before starting ArmCare with a Little League player?
Hopefully, this has given you a better understanding of how ArmCare can benefit young players. But before starting the program, there is an important consideration regarding the player’s maturity and drive.
While the ArmCare App is age-appropriate for young players from a physical standpoint, not every player will be ready to dive into the commitment of more advanced training. Even with a minimal requirement of 5 to 10 minutes per day, if the ArmCare program is a burden to them and hinders them from enjoying the sport, it may not be worth it at that time.
It’s important to consider the player’s desire and ambition before diving into ArmCare. If they are excited about the program and have a genuine drive to improve their game, then ArmCare is the perfect tool to help foster that. It gamifies the training so players can track their streaks and strength improvement, and it builds other healthy habits through reporting sleep and how their body feels.
But forcing a child to do something will only promote resentment that will impact their love for the sport and the relationships with those who want to support them in their success. As a player becomes more competitive, the natural drive will deepen their desire to implement training and habits that will lead to their success which will open the door to adding ArmCare.
Why it’s best to start ArmCare at a young age.
The ArmCare App also provides parents, players, and coaches with detailed reports, tracking progress, and customized training to help them reach their maximum potential while avoiding injury.
For younger players, however, it can be even more beneficial due to its ability to monitor fatigue levels and progress them correctly. Starting the ArmCare App before players reach high school will build the correct habits around the consistency and routine needed for a healthy arm at the next level of performance.
It will also provide critical insights into their growth and development during observation windows as they grow. By monitoring early on, you can pick up on key signs that a player might need medical intervention or some time off from intense throwing. This is the best way to avoid severe injury and to keep them in the game for as long as possible.
By using ArmCare, coaches, trainers, parents, and players can work together in perfect harmony toward the common goal of success. With its simple interface and detailed reports, it is no wonder why so many choose this app as their
Ultimately, it’s important to ensure that a player is physically ready to meet the demands of the field no matter what age they’re competing. So whether they’re just starting out or already competing at elite-level tournaments, the ArmCare App will provide valuable insights to protect their health and to take their game from good to great!
For more on developing young players, check out our article Who is Responsible for Stopping the Injury Epidemic in Baseball?
And click here to learn more about the ArmCare App.
