Comparisons Between Jump Power, Swing Velocity, and Hitting Measures in Collegiate Baseball and Softball Athletes

Abstract

Successful performance in baseball and softball requires the ability to perform multiple skills efficiently. The skills most critical to the game include fielding, throwing, and hitting and each have components of strength, agility, and muscular power. PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationships and differences between maximal leg power and swing velocity in collegiate baseball and softball players. METHODS: Thirty-four subjects (20.4±1.3yrs, 176.8±9.8cm, and 77.7±13.9kg) were assessed for vertical jump power and swing velocity using a force plate and visual 3D technology, respectively. Mean differences were calculated by independent t-tests and relationships between parameters of interest were calculated using Pearson Correlation coefficients. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Baseball (n=17) and softball (n=17) player mean age, height (cm), and weight (kg) were 20.7±1.2yrs, 184.8±4.1cm, 88.3±9.8kg and 20.1±1.4yrs, 168.9±6.7cm, 67.0±8.0kg, respectively. Vertical jump power and swing velocity means were 1528.3±169.7W, 38.6±1.4m/s and 1045.4±121W, 29.8±1.8m/s, respectively. Baseball players were significantly taller (p≤0.01) and heavier (p≤0.01) than softball players. They also generated significantly more jump power (p≤0.01) and achieved higher swing velocities (p≤0.01) but no differences were revealed for hitting measures. Vertical jump power tests revealed moderate to strong relationships for baseball players (r=.58-.96, p<0.05) between height, weight, swing velocity, batting average, and slugging percentage for baseball but only height and weight for softball players. Swing velocity revealed poor to moderate relationships for both groups (r=-.28-.51) for batting average, slugging percentage, and home runs. CONCLUSION: Statistical evaluation revealed moderate to strong relationships between vertical jump power and anthropometric measures for both groups. Furthermore, baseball players display moderate to strong relationships between vertical jump power, swing velocity, batting average, and slugging percentage. In conclusion, evaluating and predicting performance from physiological variables remains a challenge, however, maximal leg power could serve as a moderate indicator of performance in baseball athletes.