Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.E.S. in Exercise Science
Department
Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management
First Advisor
Jay Garner
Second Advisor
Paul D. Loprinzi
Third Advisor
Scott Owens
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In an effort to improve overhand throw velocity in baseball pitchers, weighted implement training, which utilizes balls that are heavier or lighter than a competition ball, have been employed. Weighted ball programs have previously been used in baseball pitchers ranging from high school to professional with varying ball weights with mixed results (Straub, 1966; Brose and Hanson, 1967; DeRenne, 1985; DeRenne, 1990; van den Tillaar and Ettema, 2011). PURPOSE: To determine the effect of a commercially available weighted ball program on the throwing velocity of collegiate baseball pitchers over the course of an off-season. METHODS: This retrospective study examined pitch velocity for 56 varsity collegiate baseball pitchers at the University of Mississippi between 2012-2015. The weighted implement (WI) group (n=35) used weighted implement training in addition to normal throwing activities throughout the off-season while the normal throwing (NT) group (n=21) participated in normal throwing activities only. The WI group used baseballs that were 20% overweight (6 ounces), 20% underweight (4 ounces), and regulation weight (5 ounces) while the NT group used only the regulation weight baseball. A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted. Statistical significance was set at p?0.05. RESULTS: Pitch velocity did not significantly increase from the beginning of the off-season to the end of the off-season (p=0.071) for either group and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.271). CONCLUSION: In varsity collegiate pitchers currently involved in general and sport specific training, the current weighted implement throwing program is no more effective than a normal throwing protocol.
Recommended Citation
Ake, Hillary, "The Effect Of Pitching With Underweight And Overweight Balls On Pitch Velocity In Collegiate Baseball Pitchers." (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 559.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/559