the effects of a j-band warm-up on muscle activity of colligate baseball players during pitching

Background: baseball pitchers experience a high rate of injury to the elbow joint which may be prevented through proper warm-up techniques. however, few studies have investigated the effect of baseball-specific warm-ups on muscle activity during pitching.  this study aimed to compare the muscle activity differences that occurred during pitching with and without the utilization of a j-band warm-up. methods: fourteen male colligate baseball pitchers volunteered to complete two separate bullpen sessions; one following a standard warm-up and one following a j-band warm-up. muscle activity of the triceps brachii and serratus anterior was recorded and independent sample t-tests were run to compare peak and mean muscle activity differences between the two pitching sessions.results: average muscle activity was higher in the triceps brachii during pithing following the completion of a j-band warm-up (p = 0.047, d = 0.336). there were no other statistically significant differences in the triceps brachii or serratus anterior. conclusion: a j-band warm-up elicits higher average muscle activity in the triceps brachii in subsequent pitching. given the stabilizing role of the triceps, this may lead to a reduction in pitching-related injuries.