37th Annual Student Research Conference
Correlation of Fastball Velocity to Resistance Training Exercises in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers
Jaren M. Guck
Dr. Jerry Mayhew and Mr. Dan Davis (Truman State Baseball Head Coach), Faculty Mentors
In baseball, there is a correlation between a hitter’s batting average and the fastball velocity of a pitcher. Generally, the higher the fastball velocity, the lower the batting average will be. Therefore, modern training for pitchers includes various resistance training (RT) exercises designed to increase fastball velocity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 1RM of various RT exercises to pitching velocity among collegiate pitchers. Fifteen pitchers were evaluated in eight RT exercises and its relationship to their fastball velocity. There was a moderate correlation between fastball velocity and a two pound med ball throw (R^2=0.668), grip strength (R^2=0.503), and reverse lunge (R^2=0.413). Those three RT exercises can predict 74.8% of the variation in fastball velocity (±1.98mph). The other five RT exercises demonstrated weak correlations to fastball velocity and require further investigation to determine their significance to fastball velocity.
Keywords: Med Ball, Medicine Ball, Reverse Lunge, Grip Strength
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 2-4
Location: SUB Activities Room
Time: 3:30