Physical Fitness Profile Of 15 U Puerto Rican Baseball Athletes

Youth baseball athletes' development is an important stage that determines their performance at higher levels. However, in Puerto Rico, most high schools do not offer baseball programs, therefore athletes’ development relies on baseball academies. Determining baseball's physical fitness attributes is essential for effective and efficient development programs. PURPOSE: To develop a physical fitness profile of 15 U Puerto Rican baseball athletes. METHODS: Twenty male athlete members of a baseball academy (13.65 ± 0.88 years) performed field tests for the following physical attributes: throwing and running velocity, batting power, and fielding athleticism. The test battery consisted of: Right (R) & left (L) grip and back isometric strength, vertical jump (squat (SJ) and countermovement (CMJ)), R & L leg unilateral jump, back overhead medicine ball throw (BOMB), R & L rotational medicine ball (MB) throw, 10-yard sprint, and JJ 60-yard shuttle run (total time and anaerobic endurance). The test battery was assessed on 2 different days (4 tests per day) in a baseball field (outfield). Descriptive statistics (Mean ± SD) were determined and compared with published data. RESULTS: The following mean ± SD scores were observed: height = 166.8 ± 7.4 cm; weight = 59.0 ± 14.6 kg; grip strength-sum of R & L = 66.0 ± 17.8 kg; back strength = 105.9 ± 30.9 kg; squat jump height = 41.4 ± 8.5 cm; SJ relative power = 52.7 ± 8.9 W/kg; countermovement jump height = 50.67 ± 10.1 cm; CMJ relative power = 62.8 ± 10.2 W/kg; R unilateral jump = 183.0 ± 21.0 cm; L unilateral jump = 192.1 ± 19.2 cm; BOMB throw = 986.1 ± 311.1 cm; R MB throw = 1015.0 ± 192.0 cm; L MB throw = 887.1 ± 228.6 cm; 10-yd sprint = 1.8 ± .12 sec; JJ 60-yd shuttle run = 13.6 ± 0.9 s, anaerobic endurance = 0.19 ± 0.4 m/s. CONCLUSION: Compared to age-matched groups from other studies, similar results were obtained, except for below-average CMJ height, grip strength, and 10-yd sprint time compared to older Division 1 and professional baseball athletes. This test battery can be used when designing training programs and tracking baseball athlete's development.