The Impact of Not Having a Periodized Strength Training Program on Baseball Hitting Metrics in Collegiate Baseball Players

Background: Strength training programs are designed to enhance sport performance while reducing the risk of injury. Little is known regarding the impact of not completing a concurrent strength program during the fall season on baseball hitting performance in collegiate baseball players. Objective: The purpose of this study examined the influence an individualized hitting program has on hitting metrics during an 8-week fall season without a concurrent strength training program. Methodology: This experimental study design involved fifteen NCAA Division I baseball players completed the study using a Blast Motion sensor to track peak bat speed, peak hand speed, attack angle, vertical bat angle, on-plane efficiency, rotational acceleration, early connection, connection at impact, and time to contact. An 8-week hitting program was implemented where participants were instructed to hit off a tee placed in the middle of their respective strike zone. The program consisted of 30 maximal effort swings during week one and progressively increased by 5 swings every 2 weeks, concluding with 50 swings during week 8. Results: Paired samples t-tests analyzed all hitting metrics of interest before and after the 8-week fall season. Peak hand speed, vertical bat angle, and time to contact significantly decreased from pre-test values (p.05). No significant differences were seen in peak bat speed, attack angle, on-plane efficiency, rotational acceleration and connection at impact between pre-and post-test measurements (p.05). Conclusions: Results from this study support the need to complement sport practice with periodized strength training with the aims of improving sport specific skills.