Abstract
Background: Bat velocity, attack angle, and vertical angle are common variables that coaches and players want to evaluate during their baseball or softball swing. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate and validate a baseball bat handle sensor against motion capture using recreational baseball and softball athletes for bat velocity, attack angle, and vertical angle. Methods: This single visit cross-sectional experimental design study utilized eighteen recreational baseball and softball players (ten males and eight females, age: 20.70 ± 1.69 years, height: 170.74 ± 5.69 cm, weight: 77.97 ± 12.30 kg) were recruited. Bat velocity, attack angle, and vertical angle from the bat handle sensor and 12-camera motion capture system were collected and compared using a two-tailed paired t-test. Results: Differences were statistically significant, showing that 95% of the time, the bat handle sensor overestimated the bat velocity by 1.92 to 2.77 m/s, underestimated the attack angle by -3.46 to -1.96º, and overestimated the vertical angle by 1.64 to 3.21º, compared to the motion capture system. Conclusion: The bat velocity and vertical angle were overestimated, while the attack angle was underestimated by the bat sensor. The information presented in this study can be viable information for coaches and players when utilizing the baseball bat handle sensor technology for training, practice, or in-game situations.
Highlights
Wearable technology is on the rise and is becoming more accurate in the process (Chander et al, 2019; Li et al, 2016; Luczak et al, 2019)
Bat velocity was found to be significantly greater for the bat handle sensor when compared to the motion capture
The bat handle sensor overestimates the bat velocity from 1.92 to 2.77 m/s 95% of the time based on the 95% confidence interval
Summary
Wearable technology is on the rise and is becoming more accurate in the process (Chander et al, 2019; Li et al, 2016; Luczak et al, 2019). The types of data being collected and advertised most often include bat velocity (how fast the bat is traveling), attack angle (bat approach on the horizontal plane toward the ball), and vertical bat angle (bat approach on the vertical plane toward the ball) These variables are commonly used by coaches and players to objectively give feedback to swings during training, practice, and games. This data is useful for all swinging athletes and companies are capitalizing on their ability to use the same technology in both baseball and softball to expand their customer and user base. The information presented in this study can be viable information for coaches and players when utilizing the baseball bat handle sensor technology for training, practice, or in-game situations
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