What are the differences between the ArmCare exams?

The ArmCare App includes three types of exams—each serving a specific purpose in monitoring arm health, performance, and recovery.

1. Arm Primer (Daily Readiness Test)

Purpose: A quick 20-second test designed to assess daily arm activation and readiness for throwing. The max-effort contraction also enhances the warm-up through potentiation, meaning it helps activate the neuromuscular system, improving force output and readiness.
What It Measures: Measures long-lever strength (release-point strength) by pressing forward and backward in a half-kneeling position.
When to Use It: Performed daily before throwing to ensure the arm is primed for workload.

Purpose: Measures overall arm strength and balance when the arm is fully recovered, providing a baseline for comparison.
What It Measures:
- Total arm strength relative to body weight (Arm Score)
- Shoulder balance between internal and external rotators
- Grip strength (pinch test) for forearm stability
- Strength-to-Velocity Ratio (SVR) to track how efficiently strength translates to throwing velocity
When to Use It:
- Before intense throwing days (bullpens, velocity days, games)
- Once per week for position players
- Every 72 hours for relievers
- Never within 24 hours of a heavy upper-body lift

Purpose: Assesses arm fatigue immediately after high-intensity throwing.
What It Measures:
- Strength loss compared to fresh exam baseline
- Fatigue level (a drop of more than 10% is a concern)
When to Use It:
- Within 30 minutes after games, bullpens, or high-intensity throwing days
- Helps determine whether workload adjustments or additional recovery time are needed

By tracking strength across these three exams, athletes can:

Regular testing ensures that athletes and coaches make data-driven decisions to maximize performance while preventing injuries.