Variations in throwing speed and range of motion between female softball and male baseball players following deceleration-focussed shoulder exercises

Deceleration-focused shoulder exercises are becoming integrated into both baseball and softball programs. These exercises address the imbalance between the shoulder internal and external rotator muscles. The effects of a deceleration-focused shoulder exercise program has yet to be examined among the female softball population. Following a 7-week deceleration exercise program of either weighted balls or resistance tubing, no significant differences in throwing velocity or internal and external shoulder range of motion (ROM) between the two softball groups were found; both groups improved in all three measures. Deceleration-focused shoulder exercises seem to provide benefits to softball players and reduces the anterior vs. posterior shoulder muscle activation imbalance.