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.
