Relationship Between Physical Fitness at the End of Preseason and the Inseason Game Performance in Japanese Female Professional Baseball Players

Abstract

Watanabe, Y, Yamada, Y, Yoshida, T, Matsui, T, Seo, K, Azuma, Y, Hiramoto, M, Miura, Y, Fukushima, H, Shimazu, A, Eto, T, Saotome, H, Kida, N, and Morihara, T. Relationship between physical fitness at the end of preseason and the inseason game performance in Japanese female professional baseball players. J Strength Cond Res 33(6): 1580–1588, 2019—This study examined anthropometric and fitness profiles of Japanese female professional baseball players and investigated the relationship between players' physical fitness and inseason game performance. Fifty-seven players who were registered in the Japan Women's Baseball League (JWBL) participated. Height, body mass, grip strength, back strength, knee extension and flexion strength, hamstring extensibility, vertical jump height, and horizontal jump distance were measured at preseason (February and March) in 2013. Game performance during the 2013 season (March–November) was obtained from official JWBL statistics. Vertical jump height showed significant positive correlations with individual performance records (e.g., total bases [r = 0.551], slugging percentage [r = 0.459], and stolen bases [r = 0.442]). Similar relationships were observed between horizontal jump distance and performance statistics in most cases. By contrast, grip, back, and lower-limb strength, as well as hamstring extensibility were not significantly correlated with game performance. Stepwise regression analysis selected vertical jump height as an independent variable, significantly correlating with several game performance measures (e.g., total bases: adjusted R 2 = 0.257). Also, vertical jump height and body mass index were identified as independent variables significantly associated with stolen bases (adjusted R 2 = 0.251). Maximal jump performance, rather than simple isometric muscle strength or flexibility, is a good performance test that can be used at the end of preseason to predict inseason batting and stolen base performance. Our findings demonstrate the importance of constructing preseason training programs to enhance lower-limb muscular power that is linked to successful inseason performance in female baseball players.

Does the Relative Age Effect Influence Short-Term Performance and Sport Career in Team Sports? A Qualitative Systematic Review

“…This could affect the impact of the results. Unlike the “invasion sports,” baseball and cricket, among others, are disciplines where physical and physiological maturation and subjective performance evaluation are not considered as relevant (Zuma et al, 2017 ). This fact would cause the dropout rate of relatively young athletes to be low, and therefore, they could develop their potential without biased selection processes based on their birthdate (Jones et al, 2018 ).…”

Comprehensive geriatric intervention in community‐dwelling older adults: a cluster‐randomized controlled trial

“…Muscle thickness (MT) was also measured as a biomarker of muscle mass in the lower limbs as the anterior thigh muscles are considered representative muscles used in daily life activities. These measurements were carried out before and after the 12 week intervention, as described elsewhere . Members of our laboratory and staff, who were trained by our researchers, conducted these measurements.…”

“…Vertical jump height was measured using a jump gauge (Jump Meter‐MD, TKK5106; Takei Scientific Instruments, Niigata, Japan) . After familiarization with the procedure, each participant performed two maximal jumps with lower‐limb counter‐movement.…”

“…These measurements were carried out before and after the 12 week intervention, as described elsewhere. [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] Members of our laboratory and staff, who were trained by our researchers, conducted these measurements. There were no changes in trial outcomes after the trial commenced.…”

“…Vertical jump height was measured using a jump gauge (Jump Meter-MD, TKK5106; Takei Scientific Instruments, Niigata, Japan). 31,33,36 After familiarization with the procedure, each participant performed two maximal jumps with lowerlimb counter-movement. Arm swings were allowed in the first jump, while the second jump was performed with hands on the waist.…”