Physiological And Anthropometric Characteristics Of College Baseball Players Over An Entire Year

David Szymanski, Jessica M. Szymanski, Jeff M. Albert, Jason R. Beam, Hung-Sheng Hsu, Josh G. Reed, and Frank J. Spaniol

The ability to maintain strength, power, speed, agility, and baseball-specific skills throughout a season is vital to the success of a baseball team.

PURPOSE: To investigate the physiological and anthropometric characteristics of collegiate baseball players over an entire year, and to determine

when and if changes occurred. METHODS: Twenty-three members of an NCAA Division I baseball team (age = 20.0 ± 1.2 yr, height = 185.4 ± 7.3

cm, body mass = 87.1 ± 11.2 kg) volunteered to be evaluated. Subjects were evaluated for measurements of standard anthropometry (percent

body fat and lean body mass) using a TanitaTM bioelectrical impedance device, strength (1RM parallel squat, 1-arm dumbbell row, bench press,

and grip strength) using standard Olympic plates and a JamarTM hand dynamometer, power (vertical jump and standing long jump) using a

VertecTM and measuring tape, speed (10, 30, 60 yd sprint) using hand-held stop watches, agility (5-10-5 pro agility) using a hand-held stop

watch, and baseball-specific skills (bat swing, batted-ball, and throwing velocities) using a SETPRO SPRT5ATM chronograph, Speed TracTM radar

gun, and JugsTM radar gun in September before team practice began (pre-training), in December after off-season training ended (preseason), in

March (mid-season), and in May (post-season). A 3-day per week periodized complex, undulating training (CUT) program was performed during

the off-season to preseason (September to December). Training loads and volume progressively increased during this stage of the training year.

Volume declined during the in-season (February to May) when the team attempted to train twice per week. RESULTS: Vertical jump, strength

(1RM parallel squat, 1-arm dumbbell row, and bench press), speed, and batted-ball velocity significantly (p < 0.05) improved from pre-training to

preseason. All other variable’s values were maintained. At mid-season a significant decrease was observed in batted-ball velocity, while signifi-

cant improvements were observed in 60 yd sprint and agility times compared to preseason values. All other variable’s values were maintained.

Post-season results revealed that batted-ball velocity and speed significantly decreased, while percent body fat, lean body mass, and standing

long jump significantly improved from preseason values. All other variable’s values were maintained. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that a

preseason periodized CUT program can improve performance values for college baseball players. Additionally, a 2-day per week in-season CUT

program can maintain most preseason performance and baseball-specific skill values over a collegiate baseball season. PRACTICAL APPLICA-

TION: It is recommended to keep highly skilled baseball players strong, powerful, and healthy. This will keep them on the field, and allow them

an opportunity to perform their baseball-specific skills optimally throughout the entire playing season.