Glenn S. Fleisig, Ph.D., is the Research Director of the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI). Much of ASMI’s research under Dr. Fleisig has focused on throwing injury prevention and treatment. Dr. Fleisig is a recognized leader in baseball pitching biomechanics, identifying mechanics for minimizing elbow and shoulder loads while maximizing ball velocity. He has also published biomechanical studies on the softball pitch, football pass, volleyball spike, volleyball serve, baseball swing, and golf swing. Dr. Fleisig and his team have analyzed thousands of baseball pitchers, from youth leagues to Major Leagues, providing individualized recommendations for safety and performance.
Dr. Fleisig also has numerous publications in sports medicine epidemiology and clinical outcomes. Much of the epidemiologic work has focused on elbow and shoulder injuries in baseball pitchers. His clinical studies have shown the efficacy of surgical treatments, such as return to play after ACL reconstruction or UCL reconstruction.
In addition to his work at ASMI, Dr. Fleisig serves as chair of the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee, injury research advisor for Major League Baseball, safety consultant for Little League Baseball, and adjunct faculty at UAB. He is a member of Major League Baseball’s elbow task force, National Pitching Association’s board of advisors, and MomsTEAM’s board of advisors. Dr. Fleisig is working with Motus Global in the development of consumer technologies for measuring and monitoring an athlete’s biomechanics.
Dr. Fleisig’s career in sports medicine began as an undergraduate mechanical engineering student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he conducted research on the biomechanics of the golf swing. Upon graduation, he served as a research intern at the United States Olympic Training Center in 1984. The USOC afforded Fleisig the opportunity to participate in the development of biomechanical software and testing, as well as to meet Dr. James Andrews. In 1987, while pursuing his master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Fleisig was offered the opportunity to head up research at Dr. Andrews’ new institute, ASMI. Dr. Fleisig completed his education with a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Dr. Fleisig’s work has not only made contributions to the body of knowledge, but has also influenced change in sports. His committee work with Little League Baseball, USA Baseball, Major League Baseball, and the Pitch Smart program has led to changes in regulations and guidelines, such as pitch count limits. He has presented at conferences and courses throughout the U.S. and world, and has appeared in countless interviews on television, magazines, newspapers, and online media.