Strength and conditioning practices of Major League Baseball strength and conditioning coaches. J Strength Cond Res 2005 Aug;19(3):538-46
Date
08/13/2005Pubmed ID
16095401DOI
10.1519/R-15464.1Scopus ID
2-s2.0-24944577111 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 152 CitationsAbstract
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 CJAuthors
Christopher Simenz PhD Clinical Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette UniversityChristopher 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
BaseballHumans
Male
Physical Education and Training
Physical Fitness
Pliability
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States