Baseball Pitchers: Shutdown or De-load?
At Mishock Physical Therapy & Associates, the sports performance team uses evidence-based de-load and arm-care programs for pitchers of all levels.
These programs are tailored to each athlete based on factors such as innings pitched, physical maturity, rest between outings, and injury history.
- Younger, less physically developed, and mechanically inefficient pitchers typically require longer recovery periods.
- High-volume or year-round pitchers may need more structured off-season periods focusing on mobility, rotator cuff strength, and kinetic chain efficiency.
De-loading programs should be adjusted for each athlete, and pitchers developing new pitches or undergoing velocity training should delay pitch development until after the de-load phase.
The de-loading phase is also an ideal time to address mental fatigue, improve sleep, and develop better body awareness, as noted by Lyman et al. (Am J Sports Med, 2002) and Escamilla et al.
Author's summary: De-load programs help pitchers recover and improve performance.