Posted by Deborah Overman | Mar 7, 2020 | Sports Braces |     

The Kinetic Arm (formerly The Perfect Arm) throwing arm braces and sleeves are the first and only wearable workload management tool designed to help reduce elbow and shoulder stress for athletes.

It utilizes MuscleWeb® Technology that mimics natural and dynamic musculoskeletal function – acting as an external muscular system to reinforce movement, increase velocity, and reduce stress to both the elbow and the shoulder. It is reportedly the first product of its kind to be developed and introduced to the sports industry with hopes of finally being able to prevent rotator cuff injuries and career-ending Tommy John surgeries among Major League Baseball players.

The Perfect Arm made its first appearance last January at the 2020 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), where it won “Best of Show” for the most innovative baseball product.

“The data shows that this prototype could definitely have an impact in reducing throwing and overuse injuries,” says Dr. Lawrence Lemak, Founder of American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) and the National Center of Sports Safety, after reviewing the biomechanics abstract conducted on this product by Motus Global.

The protective throwing sleeve can be used for injury prevention, workload management, rehabilitative return to throw programs, post injury/surgery, and also during regular play to significantly reduce stress on the throwing arm for baseball and other sports, per the abstract.

Despite the increase in technological advancements and attempts to monitor pitch counts, the current UCL epidemic continues to rise. Tommy John cases have increased 700% in the last decade, according to ASMI Founder Dr. James Andrews – with over 60% of these cases being performed on young athletes ages 15-19.

“There are helmets, elbow guards, groin protectors and other baseball protective gear, but nothing for the throwing arm, the one thing that will keep you in the game,” Colleran states in the release, adding that there are several new wearable technologies being used in effort to track pitchers’ data, but these won’t be able to help decrease stress during the process.

“The Kinetic Arm definitely shows promising uses for not only rehab professionals, but performance coaches. I foresee this device ushering a new era of health and performance for throwing athletes,” comments Dr Ryan Balmes, owner of ENDVR Health and board -certified specialist in orthopedics and sports physical therapy. 

Colleran, a former athlete, suffered arm injuries for over 10 years before losing his career. As a biomechanics consultant for medical professionals and professional athletes, Colleran specializes in working hands-on with injured athletes and integrating muscle activation techniques along with other modalities to identify and correct neuromuscular dysfunction. Years of data and feedback from athletes wearing his prototypes at his sports performance laboratory in Atlanta have enabled him to perfect and patent his design.