| Abstract: |
In softball, the sport-specific skills of bat swing velocity and throwing velocity are key components to being successful on the field. It is of interest to coaches to know which performance variables relate to these softball-specific skills. If these can be identified, then the training of softball players may be able to improve bat swing and throwing velocity. PURPOSE: To determine the relationship of performance variables to bat swing and throwing velocity of college softball players. METHODS: Nineteen Division I female college softball players (age = 19.8 ± 1.15 yr, height = 167.0 ± 4.7 cm, body mass = 69.2 ± 8.6 kg) volunteered for this study. The anthropometric and performance variables were % body fat and lean body mass (Tanita bioelectrical impedance device), grip strength (Jamar hydraulic dynamometer), 1 repetition maximum (1RM) hang clean, parallel squat, bench press, and 1-arm dumbbell row, rotational power (4 lb medicine ball toss), vertical jump (Vertec apparatus), peak power (Myotest), throwing velocity (Stalker Pro radar gun), and bat swing velocity (SETPRO SPRT5A chronograph). Prior to the day of testing, all participants practiced using the Myotest device to learn the protocol and the timing of the device. The Myotest device was attached to a neoprene belt that was wrapped around the largest diameter of the subject's hips. Participants' place their hands on their hips, feet shoulder width apart, and performed 5 countermovement jumps. The Myotest calculated vertical jump height (in), power (W/kg), force (N/kg), and velocity (cm/s). On the day of testing, all participants were led in a 10 minute active, dynamic warm-up prior to testing. Subjects rotated through the various testing stations. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients were calculated for all variables by utilizing a correlation matrix from raw scores. Statistical analysis indicated significant low correlation (p < 0.05) between bat swing velocity and peak power (r = 0.39), 1RM hang clean (r = 0.35), body mass (r = 0.28), and % body fat (r = 0.21). Throwing velocity showed a low correlation to height (r = 0.24) and 1RM dumbbell row (r = 0.24). CONCLUSION: The data indicates that there are relationships between power, body mass, and body composition to bat swing velocity. For throwing velocity, there are relationships with height and strength. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: It is suggested that those that train female college softball players increase their body mass, strength, and power to improve their bat swing and throwing velocity. It could also be stated that those that recruit college softball players may want to look for taller individuals since there was a relationship between height and greater throwing velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
