Scientific Proof – A Study On The Relationship Between Strength, Power, Speed, and Change of Direction Performance of Female Softball Players
A study was conducted to ten female softball players from the state Australian Institute of Sport softball team for maximal lower body strength, peak force, peak velocity, and peak power during jump squats, countermovement vertical jump height, 1 base and 2 base sprint performance and change of direction performance on dominant and nondominant sides. The testing sessions occurred pre, mid, and post a 20-week training period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional relationship of strength, power, and performance variables in trained female athletes and determine if the relationship between these variables changes over the course of a season.
Significant relationships were found across all time points with body weight, speed, and change of direction measures and relative strength and measures of speed and change of direction ability. Although there were no significant relationships between Vertical jump height and any measure of performance at any time point. In conclusion, in the given time frame for the testing body weight and relative strength have strong to very strong relationships with speed and change of direction ability and these correlations remain consistent over the course of the season.
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Scientific Proof – Medicine ball training alone won’t improve batting velocity for new players.
In baseball and softball it is important to increase sport-specific power. This may allow a hitter to swing the bat and hit a ball with greater velocity. To examine the effects of 8 weeks of medicine ball (MB) training on bat swing velocity and batted-ball velocity of novice, college-aged students. Sixty male and female kinesiology students were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 training groups. Group 1 was the control. Group 2 performed 5 rotational MB exercises for 1 set of 10 repetitions each (50 total MB throws per day) 3x/wk for 8 weeks (1200 total MB throws). Resistance began at 2 lb and increased by 2 lb each week until week 5 10 lb MB, then it decreased by 2 lb for the next 3 weeks. By week 8 the resistance was 4 lb. The protocol progressively became heavier in resistance in an attempt to increase force production, and then became progressively lighter to increase velocity of movement. Group 3 performed the same 5 rotational MB exercises for 2 sets of 10 repetitions each (100 total MB throws per day) 3x/wk for 8 weeks (2400 total MB throws). Instantaneous swing velocity and batted-ball velocity while hitting a ball off a batting tee. Dominant and non-dominant grip strength was measured. Rotational power was measured by a 2 lb Medicine Ball hitter’s throw and 6 lb MB side toss. Women also performed a 4 lb MB side toss since their mean body mass was significantly less than the men’s mean body mass. Leg power was measured. Instantaneous swing and batted-ball velocity did not statistically increase for any group after 8 weeks of MB training. MB side toss and MB hitter’s throw significantly increased for all groups; however, there was no difference between groups. MB side toss performed by the women significantly increased for groups 2 and 3 after 8 weeks of training; however, there was no difference between the 2 groups. Although rotational power improved for all groups, there was no increase in swing velocity and batted-ball for novice college-aged, male and female novice participants after 8 weeks of training.
Softball Workout – Core Workout #1
Having a strong mid-section is essential in a sport that uses rotational movement as its primary motion during skill execution.
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