(27) EFFECTS OF BLOCK PERIODIZATION ON POWER, STRENGTH, AND ACCELERATION IN HIGH SCHOOL-AGED BASEBALL PLAYERS

Purpose: Block periodization has been used in various settings to elicit specific adaptations to allow for residual effects during training cycles. This method has seen success in many sports but limited research has existed within the high school-age sector. The purpose of this study is to see the effect this periodization methodology has on power, strength, and acceleration in high school-aged baseball players.

Methods: A retrospective study of twenty-nine high school varsity baseball players (mean +/- SD: age = 17+/-.82) performed 8 weeks of block periodization. The training blocks were performed on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Training blocks were 2 weeks of isometric training (week 1 10-second holds, week 2 20-second holds), 2 weeks of eccentric training (week 1 5-1-1, week 2 8-2-1), and 4 weeks of progressive overload (week 5 70% load, week 6 80% load week 7 85% and week 8 90% load). The exercises performed were all timed and all exercises utilizing the above protocol were done in triple sets allowing adequate time for rest and recovery between sets. A Spearman correlation was completed to look at the overall relationship between variables.  A Wilcoxon signed-ranked test was also used to look at the pre and post-test results of the periodization model.

Results: Block periodization had a significant effect on power (VJ r=.66, Brj r=.84, 4x VJ r=.66), strength (back squat r=.84, bench r=.88, relative strength r= .78, overall load lifted r=.80) and acceleration (10y r= .58). The results of the study also showed an increase of body weight was not a significant factor as the mean bodyweight of the athletes increased by less than 1 pound. This suggests that the increase in strength, power, and acceleration is not due to weight increase but rather the method of training.

Conclusion: The findings seen were indicative of previous studies with block periodization in adult athlete populations. The increase in power, strength, and acceleration showed a significant relationship to the block periodization methodology as body weight increased less than a pound on average. This suggests that the use of block periodization may be applicable in certain high school-aged populations when training age is appropriate.

Practical Application: Utilizing block periodization with high school-aged baseball players will induce an increase in strength, relative strength, power, and acceleration. Consideration of incorporating isometrics, eccentric and progressive overload micro cycles within these blocks seemed to have a positive effect on the variables observed.

Acknowledgements: None