Lower Extremity Biomechanics Predicts Major League Baseball Player Performance

Abstract

Background: Although lower extremity biomechanics has been correlated with traditional metrics among baseball players, its association with advanced statistical metrics has not been evaluated. Purpose: To establish normative biomechanical parameters during the countermovement jump (CMJ) among Major League Baseball (MLB) players and evaluate the relationship between CMJ-developed algorithms and advanced statistical metrics. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: MLB players in 2 professional organizations performed the CMJ at the beginning of each baseball season from 2013 to 2017. We collected ground-reaction force data including the eccentric rate of force development (“load”), concentric vertical force (“explode”), and concentric vertical impulse (“drive”) as well as the Sparta Score. The advanced statistical metrics from each baseball season (eg, fielding independent pitching [FIP], weighted stolen base runs [wSB], and weighted on-base average) were also gathered for the study participants. The minimal detectable change (MDC) was calculated for each CMJ variable to establish normative parameters. Pearson coefficient analysis and regression trees were used to evaluate associations between CMJ data and advanced statistical metrics for the players. Results: A total of 151 pitchers and 138 batters were included in the final analysis. The MDC for “load,” “explode,” “drive,” and the Sparta Score was 10.3, 8.1, 8.7, and 4.6, respectively, and all demonstrated good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.75). There was a weak but statistically significant correlation between the Sparta Score and wSB ( r = 0.23; P = .007); however, there were no significant correlations with any other advanced metrics. Regression trees demonstrated superior FIP with higher Sparta Scores in older pitchers compared with younger pitchers. Conclusion: There was a positive but weak correlation between the Sparta Score and base-stealing performance among professional baseball players. Additionally, older pitchers with a higher Sparta Score had statistically superior FIP compared with younger pitchers with a similar Sparta Score after adjusting for age.

Reliability of Force Plate Metrics During Standard Jump, Balance, and Plank Assessments in Military Personnel

“… 22–25 For example, Teske et al. 25 reported good reliability of the Sparta Science metrics during the CMJ assessment (ICC = 0.78-0.83) for professional baseball players who likely perform similar movement patterns to the CMJ as part of their sprint training (e.g., plyometrics). 25 Conversely, these movement patterns are not consistently part of military physical training that predominantly involves a traditional aerobic/endurance focus.…”

“… 26 This level of reliability was comparable to that of elite athletes despite potential dissimilar movement patterns between military and elite athlete populations. 25 Therefore, participant experience with the CMJ movement patterns may only partially contribute to the reliability of the Sparta Science metrics with other factors such as homogeneity of the population, requiring further examination. Despite the potential influences of these other factors, the Sparta Science variables in the current study exhibited moderate-to-good reliability (ICC 0.42-0.91), with the greatest reliability for two-leg CMJ total Sparta and explode scores (ICC >0.80).…”

“…Previous studies have focused on CMJ assessments as part of their MSKI risk monitoring 17–19 , 22 , 25 , 26 with less examination of balance and core strength, important contributors to MSKI risk. 2 In the current study, the balance and plank movements were examined with the Sparta Science scores exhibiting poor-to-moderate reliability.…”

“…33 The level of agreement between sessions was determined via group bias and LOAs, 34 with the LOAs equivalent to the minimum detectable change. 25 , 35 The bias ± LOAs were analyzed to assist practitioners to identify meaningful differences with interventions when utilizing the Sparta Science system and these standard assessments. For the purpose of this study, a mean bias of <5% of the mean and an LOA value of ± 5% of the mean (i.e., <10% total range) were interpreted as acceptable agreement.…”

Intra-Session Reliability of Sprint Performance on a Non-Motorised Treadmill for Healthy Active Males and Females

“…However, if the 95%CI of the ICC of a variable ranged from 0.88 to 0.92, then this was classified as good to excellent. The minimal detectable change (MDC) was also calculated by determining the typical error (standard deviation ÷ 2 0.5 ), then using the following formula: typical error × 1.96 × 2 0.5 ( Teske et al, 2021 ).…”