Shoulder plyometrics

Rehabilitation and training of the shoulder in throwing and overhead athletes has dramatically changed during the last decade. Athletes are returning to participation in overhead sports faster than ever. There are numerous reasons for this rapid return to athletic training or competition. These reasons include increased anatomic understanding of the shoulder complex, increased understanding of the biomechanics that occur at the shoulder complex in sports, and ability to integrate this new knowledge into performance enhancement. In addition, a better understanding of the scientific and clinical concepts of plyometrics has facilitated this improvement in performance. Although there are numerous studies regarding the application of plyometrics in the lower extremities, there are very few regarding the application of plyometrics to the upper extremities. This article describes the physiologic, biomechanical, and neurophysiological basis of upper extremity plyometrics with an emphasis on clinical application.