Interval Hitting Programs: Progressive or Presumed? An Analysis of Batting Biomechanics and Performance Metrics

Introduction: Baseball is a popular sport, and complex sequences of actions and reactions in joints throughout the body are required for players to successfully hit incoming pitches. Despite this, the progressive phases of return-to-sport interval hitting programs (IHPs) have been vastly understudied. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine commonly used performance and ball-flight metrics during progressive phases of an IHP. Methods: Healthy Division I collegiate baseball players ( n = 16, age = 20.5 ± 1.3 yr) participated in the present study. An 18-camera Vicon ® motion capture system and a Rapsodo ® hitting monitor were used to record performance and ball-flight metrics. Each participant performed a standardized version of an IHP, which included five swing types performed at three effort levels for a total of 15 swing conditions. Results: Performance metrics, including bat linear and angular velocity, ball exit velocity, and distance, increased with effort level. Performance metrics were affected by, but did not successively increase with, progressing swing types at a given effort level. Conditions in which ball targeting was present differed considerably from dry swings with the greatest differences on average observed at higher efforts. Some of the highest bat velocities were observed during dry swings with a wiffle bat, particularly at high efforts. Conclusion: Results indicate that swing conditions involving ball targeting at higher efforts differ greatly from dry swings. Results also support the need for caution when performing or prescribing dry swings with any bat, specifically at high effort, in the early phases of rehabilitation. Together, the results demonstrate the value of monitoring performance and ball-flight metrics during IHPs to guide progression. Study results can be utilized by rehabilitation professionals to improve current practices, which may ultimately lead to better athlete outcomes.