Relationships Between Muscular Strength and Batting Performances in Collegiate Baseball Athletes

Abstract

Previous research has suggested that grip strength may be an important contributor to batting related performance in the sport of baseball (Spaniol et al. 2006). PURPOSE: To determine the role of several measures of muscular strength on both laboratory and field-based measures of batting performance. METHODS: Members of an NCAA Div. I baseball team (n = 31, body weight [BW] = 89.9 ± 9.6 kg) volunteered to participate in a series of strength and batting tests. Prior to initiating off-season training, one repetition maximum (1 RM) measures were obtained for grip strength (mean of right & left), parallel barbell back squat and incline bench press. A radar gun was used to determine batted ball velocity (BBV) while hitting from a tee. Data from a subset of athletes (n = 11) who had participated in competition the previous season were used to determine batting average (BA) and slugging percentage (Slug %). Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were used to determine relationships between muscular strength and batting performances (p<0.05). RESULTS: One RM strength and BBV (X ± SD) were as follows; right grip = 49.0 ± 8.6 kg, left grip = 46.3 ± 9.0 kg, squat = 140.0 ± 18.1 kg, incline bench press = 88.4 ± 15.4 kg and BBV = 37.4 ± 3.0 m·s−1. Relationships (rcrit = 0.35) between muscular strength and BBV were as follows; mean grip (r = 0.37) and incline bench press (r = 0.40). Although squat strength was not sig. related to BBV, it was correlated to upper body strength (r = 0.55). Additionally, BW was related to BBV (r = 0.41). For the subset of previously competing athletes, grip strength was correlated to (rcrit = 0.58) Slug % (r = 0.59) and non-significantly to BA (r = 0.46). Discussion: These data exhibit a relationship between grip strength and BBV, although the correlation coefficient was lower than previous reports (r = 0.83, Spaniol 2006). It has been speculated that this relationship is due in part to the necessary rigid link between the bat and the upper limbs at the point of ball impact. Additionally, the relationships between upper body strength and BBV, as well as upper vs. lower body strength, suggest the important role of total body strength in batting performance. While BW is certainly a contributing factor to BBV, it is unlikely that this accounts for all the relationship between strength and BBV. The results for BA and Slug % from the previous season further support the role of muscular strength in batting performances. It should be noted that grip strength for these athletes was lower than previous reports for NCAA Div. I baseball athletes (Spaniol 2005). This may be due to the prior training status of the athletes in the present study, or to the different hand grip dynamometer used, or both. Finally, the BBV velocity reported in the present study was similar to previous reports for NCAA Div. I baseball athletes (Spaniol 2006; 39.1 m·s−1). Practical Applications: While successfully hitting a baseball certainly requires high levels of motor control and skill development, it is clear that muscular strength (i.e., grip strength, upper and lower body strength) is an important contributing factor. Strength and conditioning programs for baseball must be sure to provide adequate amounts of heavy resistance exercise training to ensure appropriate strength levels are attained.