Effect of a High-Intensity Isometric Potentiating Warm-up on Bat Velocity

Abstract

Gilmore, SL, Brilla, LR, Suprak, DN, Chalmers, GR, and Dahlquist, DT. Effect of a high-intensity isometric potentiating warm-up on bat velocity. J Strength Cond Res 33(1): 152–158, 2019—This study examined the acute effect of a high-intensity isometric potentiating warm-up on subsequent maximal horizontal bat velocity in experienced female softball players (n = 28). The isometric potentiating warm-up consisted of 3 sets of 5-second maximal voluntary contractions held in the early swing phase position, pulling against an immovable device. As one of the simplest methods to use the postactivation potentiation (PAP) stimulus, the warm-up was designed to acutely enhance muscle performance by inducing PAP. Because optimal recovery duration after a potentiating warm-up can be highly variable, swing trials were conducted at predetermined rest intervals (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 minutes) to identify the recovery time that may have allowed for maximal possible benefits. Bat velocity was measured immediately before bat-ball impact using MaxTRAQ motion analysis software. The results showed that maximal horizontal bat velocity was significantly enhanced 6 minutes after the isometric warm-up protocol (+1.27 m·s−1, +2.84 mph, +4.93%; p < 0.05). In experienced female softball athletes, a specific isometric warm-up may acutely enhance maximal horizontal bat velocity.

Upper-Body Post-activation Performance Enhancement for Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis and Recommendations for Future Research

“…Five studies were included in the review pertaining to ball striking sports [ 36 , 43 , 49 , 51 , 52 ]. Improvements in golf club and ball speed (~ 1.4%; 0.9%) and carry and total distance (~ 2.6%; 1.4%) were reported following a prior conditioning activity of light and heavy golf-specific implement swings [ 49 ].…”

“…On the contrary, three studies have shown a lack of improvement, and in some cases, a detrimental effect on performance, when prior swings are performed with a heavier bat [ 36 , 51 , 52 ]. Two studies [ 43 , 51 ] have observed increases in bat swing velocity (~ 1.3–4.9%) following a conditioning activity of isometric bat swings.…”

“…The study by Bliss et al [ 49 ], and indeed all of the swing-specific sports included in the review, comprised PAPE conditioning activities that shared clear biomechanical specificity to the performance test in terms of the movement pattern. Bat swing-specific isometric contractions of a 5-s duration seemingly induce a PAPE effect on subsequent swing velocity [ 43 , 51 ]. Gilmore et al [ 43 ] demonstrated a PAPE effect following 3 × 5 bat swing-specific isometric contractions, in a group of athletes that are not considered to be the strongest, whereas Higuchi et al [ 51 ] did not report strength characteristics.…”

“…Bat swing-specific isometric contractions of a 5-s duration seemingly induce a PAPE effect on subsequent swing velocity [ 43 , 51 ]. Gilmore et al [ 43 ] demonstrated a PAPE effect following 3 × 5 bat swing-specific isometric contractions, in a group of athletes that are not considered to be the strongest, whereas Higuchi et al [ 51 ] did not report strength characteristics. Interestingly, the latter study showed an ~ 1.3% increase in swing velocity after just 1 min of rest post-conditioning activity.…”

“…Five studies were included in the review pertaining to ball striking sports [36,43,49,51,52]. Bliss et al [49] reported improvements in speed and distance in the golf swing, 1 min following prior swings with light and heavy implements, compared with a control trial.…”