Faculty Collaboration Database

Strength and conditioning practices of Major League Baseball strength and conditioning coaches. J Strength Cond Res 2005 Aug;19(3):538-46

Date

08/13/2005

Pubmed ID

16095401

DOI

10.1519/R-15464.1

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-24944577111 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   146 Citations

Abstract

This study describes the results of a survey of the practices of Major League Baseball strength and conditioning (MLB S&C) coaches. The response rate was 70.0% (21 of 30). This survey examines (a) background information, (b) physical testing, (c) flexibility development, (d) speed development, (e) plyometrics, (f) strength/power development, (g) unique aspects, and (h) comments. Results indicate, in part, that coaches assess an average of 3.6 parameters of fitness, with body composition testing being the most commonly assessed parameter. All coaches use a variety of flexibility development strategies. All coaches use speed development strategies, with form running drills being the most common. Twenty of 21 (95.2%) coaches employ plyometric exercises with their athletes. Eighteen of 21 (85.7%) of MLB S&C coaches follow a periodization model (PM). Five of 21 coaches (23.8%) indicated that their athletes use Olympic-style lifts. The squat and its variations and the lunge and its variations were most frequently identified as the first and second most important exercises used to train the athletes. This survey provides detailed information about strength and conditioning practices at the most competitive level of baseball and serves as a review, as well as a source of applied information and new ideas.

Author List

Ebben WP, Hintz MJ, Simenz CJ

Authors

Christopher Simenz PhD Clinical Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University
Christopher J. Simenz PhD Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Baseball
Humans
Male
Physical Education and Training
Physical Fitness
Pliability
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States