Correlation of static and dynamic trunk muscle endurance and bat swing velocity in high school aged baseball players

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lin, Kun-Han^a | Huang, Yi-Ming^b | Tang, Wen-Tzu^b | Chang, Ya-Ju^{c; d} | Liu, Ya-Chen^e | Liu, Chiang^{f; g}

Affiliations: [a] Office of Physical Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan | [b] Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan, Taiwan | [c] Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan | [d] Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan | [e] Office of Physical Education, Chung Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan | [f] Graduate Institute of Sports Equipment Technology, Taipei Physical Education College, Taipei, Taiwan | [g] National Baseball Research and Development Center, Taipei, Taiwan

Note: [] Corresponding author: Chiang Liu, Graduate Institute of Sports Equipment Technology, Taipei Physical Education College, Taipei, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 2 28711552; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Trunk muscle endurance training is used by most high school baseball or softball coaches. However, evidence demonstrating a relationship between trunk muscle endurance and batting performance is lacking. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish a relationship between trunk muscle endurance and bat swing velocity in a high school baseball team. METHOD: Sixty-one high school (15–18 years old) baseball players, taken from the same team, with 6.5 ± 1.3 years of training experience, participated in the following tests: static trunk flexion/extension endurance tests, dynamic trunk flexion/extension endurance tests and a maximum bat swing velocity test. RESULTS: Bat swing velocity showed significant low-to-moderate negative correlations with static trunk flexor endurance (P=0.001, r=−0.404), dynamic trunk flexor endurance (P=0.016, r= −0.308) and the ratio of static flexor/extensor endurance (P=0.021, r=−0.298). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the concept that better trunk flexor endurance might not benefit batting performance. Trunk flexor endurance training should not be over-emphasized when the targeted training goal is to enhance bat swing velocity.

Keywords: Hitting, core muscle, spine stabilization

DOI: 10.3233/IES-130486

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 113-119, 2013