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EFFECTS OF VELOCITY, DISTANCE AND SHOULDER RANGE OF MOTION IN TWO THROWING PROGRAMS

Abstract

D. Peters, H. Maliska, E. DeLeon, S. Coste

Linfield College, McMinnville, OR

PURPOSE:Success in baseball pitching is determined by throwing velocity and accuracy. Strength conditioning, particularly of the shoulder and arm, as well as repetitive throwing programs are used to improve the pitch.Recently, a weighted ball program has been developed and is believed to increase ball velocity with less potential injury.However, there is limited research examining the impact of this program on performance. The purpose of this study was to compare a traditional long toss program with the MaxVelo weighted ball program.METHODS:Twenty male collegiate baseball players (age 18-22 years) were recruited. Baseline throwing velocity and distance as well as shoulder range of motion (ROM) were measured. Participants were then randomized to either a six week long toss throwing program or Maxvelo weighted ball program. Following training, throwing velocity, distance and shoulder ROM were measured again. RESULTS: Both training methods significantly improved throwing distance (p<0.05, weighted ball baseline 93.6±10.2 vs. post training 94.29±9.8 yards; long toss baseline 93.2±6.3 vs. post training 97.3±5.6 yards). However, throwing velocity did not change from pre-training measurements. All measurements of shoulder ROM (flexion, abduction and external rotation) significantly improved in both groups with abduction showing the greatest improvement in the long toss group (time by group interaction p=0.024, weighted ball baseline 164.1±5.9° vs. post training 171.4±9.4°; long toss baseline 163.8±15.1° vs. post training 182.8±12.5°). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that both training programs are beneficial for baseball performance. It is interesting that ROM showed such large improvements. Cold weather at post testing may have influenced velocity and distance outcomes.

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