Clinical effects of shadow throwing instruction on improving the "elbow dropped" position: an examination of reproducibility during net and partner throwing drills.

[Purpose] This study investigated whether shadow throwing-based form instruction improves the "elbow dropped" position during net and partner throwing drills among youth baseball players who have recovered from throwing related shoulder or elbow injuries. [Participants and Methods] Forty-six right-handed male players (ages: 11-15 years) who exhibited the "elbow dropped" position during shadow throwing were analyzed after returning to throwing without pain following recovery from throwing-related shoulder or elbow injuries. The "elbow dropped" position during shadow throwing, net throwing, and partner throwing was evaluated using the SPLYZA Motion application, and occurrence rates were compared. [Results] The occurrence rates of the "elbow dropped" position were 0.0% for shadow throwing, 13.0% for net throwing, and 58.7% for partner throwing. The rate during partner throwing was significantly higher than during the other throwing conditions. [Conclusion] Shadow throwing instruction is effective for early form correction; however, this effectiveness decreases under actual throwing conditions. Phased instruction that incorporates realistic environmental factors, such as net and partner throwing drills, is necessary to maintain proper throwing mechanics.