How Medical Technology Is Transforming Healthcare in Baseball

By Frankie Wallace
Updated: October 23, 2019

Believe it or not, technology has infiltrated nearly every aspect of the game of baseball. It may not seem like it as America’s favorite pastime can feel as traditional and close to home as ever. But the game has fundamentally been altered.

Not every tech change is necessarily a bad one either. Many technologies have worked to improve the experience for fans and players alike by making it easier to see the game and understand what is going on. Some of the best technological developments in the game have greatly influenced the ability of players to remain healthy and active.

In fact, medical technologies are becoming a major factor in nearly every professional sport, including baseball. Numerous players and teams in the MLB are incorporating it into their routines. From training, to checking in on the road, to dealing with injuries, medical tech in baseball is here to stay.

Training and Evaluation

Nowadays, the majority of big-name players are monitored on a regular basis. Medical technology is used to gain a better understanding of the conditions they perform best at and to alert professionals when any signs of an impending injury are looming. These devices range from consumer wearable activity tracking devices to high-tech medical equipment, and are capable of collecting information on things such as:

Heart rate
Heart rate variability and changes throughout a practice
Breathing rate
Posture
Impacts
Explosiveness
Body temperature
Recovery rate
Physiological intensity

All of this information can be compiled on the fly to help trainers determine when a player needs to come out of a game. Likewise, it can help them identify areas where athletes can focus. For example, if a player is regularly dehydrated halfway through the 5th inning, a trainer can point that out and help make sure the player changes habits to get enough water.

Some of the data can also be used to help with training and building muscle memory to reduce injuries. Wearable technologies can help determine when a batter is pulling too much or tweaking their body in such a way that will cause them long-term injury. Identifying these issues early can help players become both more powerful and less likely to become injured. The Yankees are just one example of a team experimenting with these technologies.

Monitoring and Check-ins

Trainers can also use wearable technology reports to monitor things that could impact the performance of a given player such as diet and number of hours of sleep. This information can give them a better understanding of their players and what they need to be successful. It can also inform them if training isn’t being taken seriously enough.

Things such as concussions may not be as big of an issue in the MLB as it is in the NFL, but wearable technologies also have the power to help monitor players who may be at risk. Trainers and other medical professionals may not even have to look at players to diagnose a problem. Instead, they may just be able to monitor changes in baseline levels to know something is up.

Technologies such as telemedicine have also made it far easier for players to check in online with their regular doctor or other healthcare professionals whenever necessary. The tech has had a pretty large role in changing how healthcare providers see patients, and could make a difference for MLB stars on the road. Telemedicine can make it easier for players to maintain a regular doctor with all that travel.

Injuries

Injuries are a major, expensive problem in the MLB. To the point where some fans are regularly scratching their heads about how many players end up on the injured list throughout the season. Fortunately, medical technologies may also be able to help in this arena as well.

As previously mentioned, the majority of these technologies are enabling trainers and healthcare professionals to identify when players are leaving their baseline health readings and entering dangerous territory. The goal with this is to help reduce injuries by getting players out of the game before they do.

The fact of the matter is that regardless of how careful the MLB is, some injuries are bound to happen. The goal is just to heal them up safely and quickly. Technologies such as far infrared heat pads can help relieve some of the pain of injuries and help them heal faster. Far infrared radiation “can be used to treat the pain associated with: Neck pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, hip pain and knee pain. As well as, sprains & strains, tendonitis, tendinosis, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, neuropathy, RSD, epicondylitis, herniated disc pain, bursitis among many other conditions.”

Medical technologies have a lot to offer the MLB world. Tech that helps players train and develop good postures and habits early can prevent long-term injuries in the future. Wearable technologies can help trainers and healthcare professionals keep in touch with players and determine when an injury is impending. Finally, if injuries do occur, new healthcare technologies are appearing every day that can help players return to the field faster.