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Biomechanics/Neuromuscular

(4) RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FORCE PLATE COUNTERMOVEMENT JUMP CHARACTERISTICS AND BATTING PERFORMANCE IN NCAA DIVISION III BASEBALL PLAYERS

Friday, July 14, 2023
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Milano III-IV

    Poster Presenter(s)

  • James C. Utt

    Assistant Human Performance Coach
    Carroll University
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

    • Author(s)

  • MC

    Mike Cole

    Assistant Human Performance
    Carroll University
    Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States

  • Adam Sundh, BS, CSCS

    Sport Scientist - Seasonal
    Chicago Bears
    Lake Bluff, Illinois, United States

  • Conor Penneau

    Assistant Human Performance Coach
    Carroll University
    Greenfield, Wisconsin, United States

  • Timothy J. Suchomel, Phd, CSCS*D, RSCC

    Associate Professor
    Carroll University
    Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States

Abstract Details:

Purpose: To examine the relationships between countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time characteristics and batting performance in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III baseball players.

Methods: 21 male (age: 21.1 ± 1.2 years, body mass: 92.2 ± 10.5 kg, height: 181.6 ± 5.8 cm) NCAA Division III baseball position players performed two, maximal effort CMJ trials on force plates during preseason testing. The force-time data collected by the force plates were used to determine jump height, time to takeoff, propulsion mean force, and propulsion duration. Modified reactive strength index (RSImod) was then calculated as the ratio of jump height and time to takeoff. The average RSImod, propulsion mean force, and propulsion duration between trials were used for correlational analyses. The final total of home runs (HR) and slugging percentage (SLG%) of each subject was determined at the conclusion of the baseball season. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and coefficients of determination (R2) were used to examine the relationships between the preseason CMJ force-time characteristics and batting performance from the competitive season.

Results: The relationships between CMJ force-time characteristics and batting performance are displayed in Table 1. None of the relationships examined were statistically significant; however, there was a moderate relationship between propulsion mean force and SLG% with 11.7% of the variance being explained. In contrast, there were trivial to small relationships between propulsion mean force and HR, propulsion duration and SLG%, propulsion duration and HR, and RSImod and SLG%. Less than 3% of the variance of HR and SLG% were explained by these relationships.

Conclusion: Although propulsion mean force may explain a small portion of the SLG% variance, CMJ RSImod, propulsion mean force, and propulsion duration do not possess strong relationships with HR or SLG% in NCAA Division III baseball players. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Although strength and conditioning professionals may consider using CMJ testing to monitor baseball players, further research is needed to determine which force-time variables may provide better insight into baseball performance. It should be noted that hitting HR and increasing SLG% take skill within the sport and may thus not be predictable based on athlete testing and monitoring.


Acknowledgements: None