# @zachdechant on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DZQxKlaPZir
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66708100-zachdechant-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/46791109a9.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-06-06T23:02:49.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Zach Dechant (@zachdechant) — https://gondola.cc/zachdechant

## Caption

One of the most common low back injuries in adolescent baseball players is a pars stress fracture, also known as spondylolysis.

A pars fracture is a stress injury to a small bridge of bone in the back of the spine.

The important thing to understand is that these injuries rarely happen from one pitch.

They’re stress injuries from thousands of high-velocity throws that create repetitive loading on the lumbar spine. Normally, bone adapts and repairs itself. But when stress accumulates faster than recovery can occur, a stress reaction can develop. If loading continues, that stress reaction can progress to a fracture.

This is one reason pars fractures are so common in adolescent athletes. They’re often growing, throwing more, playing year-round, and recovering less.

The research also suggests that hip mobility may play an important role.

Several studies have found that athletes with pars fractures often demonstrate reduced hip internal rotation compared to healthy athletes.

Why does that matter?

Because pitching is a rotational movement. The rotation has to come from somewhere.

When the hips lose the ability to rotate efficiently, the body may compensate by asking the lumbar spine to do more work.

More motion means more stress and more repetitions worsens the issue. 

Over time, that can increase the load placed on structures that are already experiencing thousands of throwing exposures.

So what can help mitigate the risk?

✅ Manage throwing volume throughout the year

✅ Address recurring low back pain early instead of throwing through it

✅ Maintain adequate hip mobility and rotational capacity

✅ Build overall strength and athleticism

✅ Prioritize recovery between throwing exposures

The goal isn’t eliminating stress.

The goal is making sure the athlete’s ability to recover and adapt stays ahead of the stress being applied.

#spondylolisthesis #parsfracture #strengthandconditioning #pitchertraining

## Stats

- **Views:** 3,537
- **Likes:** 25
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 1

## Tags

strengthandconditioning, spondylolisthesis, pitchertraining, parsfracture

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