Changes in Maximal Strength and Home Run Performance in NCAA Division I Baseball Players Across 3 Competitive Seasons: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

The purpose of this longitudinal, descriptive study was to observe changes in maximal strength measured via isometric clean grip mid-thigh pull and home runs (total and home runs per game) across three years of training and three competitive seasons for four National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 baseball players. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed, revealing significant univariate effects of time for peak force (PF) (p = 0.003) and peak force allometrically scaled (PFa) (p = 0.002). Increases in PF were noted from season 1 to season 2 (p = 0.031) and season 3 (p = 0.004), but season 2 was not significantly different than season 3 (p = 0.232). Additionally, increases in PFa were noted from season 1 to season 2 (p = 0.010) and season 3 (p < 0.001), but season 2 was not significantly different than season 3 (p = 0.052). Home runs per game rose from the 2009 (0.32) to 2010 season (1.35) and dropped during the 2011 season (1.07). A unique aspect of the study involves 2010 being the season in which ball-bat coefficient of restitution (BBCOR) bats were introduced to the NCAA competition.

Changes in Lower Body Strength and Linear Speed Performance in Ncaa Division 2 Collegiate Football Players Across Three Competitive Seasons

“…As mentioned above, linear speed has been shown to be related to successful on-field performance in American football (Kuzmits & Adams, 2008;LaPlaca et al, 2020;Teramoto et al, 2016). Therefore, it should be of interest to strength and conditioning practitioners working within this population to optimize their training approach toward developing speed.…”

“…The 40-yd dash was conducted with participants beginning in a threepoint stance, as performed within the NFL combine, and running as fast as possible for 40 yards (Kuzmits & Adams, 2008). According to Mann et al (2015) hand timing allows for accurate classification of 40-yard dash performance among college football players.…”

“…In order to establish such connections between physical performance assessments and levels of on-field success, research must aim to connect on-field data such as the ones mentioned above, with physical performance tests and training methodologies used within sports science laboratories as well as strength and conditioning facilities. However, forming this connection has been shown to bring with it various challenges (Hornsby et al, 2021). Small sample sizes, as well as a lack of longitudinal data, have been identified as some of the challenges in connecting on-field success with training methodologies used to improve on-field success, and research is rather scarce aiming to facilitate this connection.…”