Movement and Power Analyses in Collegiate Baseball and Softball Athletes Throughout their Non-Championship Seasons

Student Author Information

Shea Alheit, University of LynchburgFollow

Location

Turner Gymnasium

Access Type

Campus Access Only

Entry Number

9

Start Date

4-5-2023 12:00 PM

End Date

4-5-2023 1:30 PM

College

College of Health Sciences

Department

Athletic Training

Abstract

Functional movement capabilities and power outputs throughout a season can be used to monitor fatigue levels and provide data regarding injury risk. Our study aimed to determine how movement and power metrics changed for NCAA Division III softball and baseball players throughout their non-championship season and off-season training period. Participants (n=7 male pitchers only (MPO), n=10 female position players (FPP), n=6 male position players (MPP)) completed data collection at 3-time points (preseason, midseason, postseason). We measured glenohumeral internal and external rotation (GHIR, GHER) range of motion (ROM), weight-bearing dorsiflexion ROM (WBDF), functional movement screening (FMS), 10-meter flying sprints (FS), vertical jump (VJ), rotational medicine ball toss (RMBT), lateral broad jump (LBJ), and grip strength (GS). We compared testing results for each sex separately across time points and groups for each dependent variable using repeated measures ANOVAs for continuous variables and Friedman Two-way analysis of variance by ranks for ordinal variables with P≤0.05 a priori. WBDF ROM in FPP increased in both non-dominant (ND) and dominant (D) sides over time (p<0.05). ND GHIR declined significantly in both MPO and FPP over time (p<0.05). FS time in FPP improved over time as did ND LBJ distance (p<0.05). D WBDF ROM increased over time in MPP but ND GHER declined (p<0.05). In both FPP and MPP, FMS D active straight-leg raise (ASLR) scores declined between preseason and midseason (p<0.05) but improved between midseason and postseason We identified both desirable and undesirable differences in performance metrics over a season. Findings provide coaches objective information to make adjustments within their programs. Future research should further identify reasons for the changes noted.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Dr. Thomas G. Bowman
Dr. Sean Collins

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Apr 5th, 12:00 PM Apr 5th, 1:30 PM

Movement and Power Analyses in Collegiate Baseball and Softball Athletes Throughout their Non-Championship Seasons

Turner Gymnasium

Functional movement capabilities and power outputs throughout a season can be used to monitor fatigue levels and provide data regarding injury risk. Our study aimed to determine how movement and power metrics changed for NCAA Division III softball and baseball players throughout their non-championship season and off-season training period. Participants (n=7 male pitchers only (MPO), n=10 female position players (FPP), n=6 male position players (MPP)) completed data collection at 3-time points (preseason, midseason, postseason). We measured glenohumeral internal and external rotation (GHIR, GHER) range of motion (ROM), weight-bearing dorsiflexion ROM (WBDF), functional movement screening (FMS), 10-meter flying sprints (FS), vertical jump (VJ), rotational medicine ball toss (RMBT), lateral broad jump (LBJ), and grip strength (GS). We compared testing results for each sex separately across time points and groups for each dependent variable using repeated measures ANOVAs for continuous variables and Friedman Two-way analysis of variance by ranks for ordinal variables with P≤0.05 a priori. WBDF ROM in FPP increased in both non-dominant (ND) and dominant (D) sides over time (p<0.05). ND GHIR declined significantly in both MPO and FPP over time (p<0.05). FS time in FPP improved over time as did ND LBJ distance (p<0.05). D WBDF ROM increased over time in MPP but ND GHER declined (p<0.05). In both FPP and MPP, FMS D active straight-leg raise (ASLR) scores declined between preseason and midseason (p<0.05) but improved between midseason and postseason We identified both desirable and undesirable differences in performance metrics over a season. Findings provide coaches objective information to make adjustments within their programs. Future research should further identify reasons for the changes noted.