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Yang WW, Liu YC, Chen WH, Tai HH, Sato K, Ma HP, Liu C. Hitting weighted baseball enhances the experience of bat-ball contacts. Sports Biomech 2024; 23:728-739. [PMID: 33663343 DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2021.1890196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Bat-ball contacts are critical in the baseball hitting process. However, an effective training method for increasing the impact perception of a bat-ball contact is currently unavailable. Although not widely used, hitting a stationary weighted baseball can be an appropriate method for batters to simulate the perception of hitting a moving baseball. Therefore, swing velocity, wrist vibration, and forearm muscle activation for hitting stationary weighted, stationary regulation, and pitched baseballs were investigated in this study. Twelve position players hit a stationary weighted, stationary regulation, and pitched baseball at a speed of 70.28 ± 3.84 km/h in a random order. The swing velocity, wrist vibration, forearm muscle activation, and co-contraction ratio during hitting phases were analysed. The results indicated that the swing velocity during each specific phase demonstrated no significant differences between the different conditions. Hitting weighted and pitched baseballs caused higher wrist vibration, muscle activation, and co-contraction ratio during the contact phase than hitting regulation balls (p < 0.05). The conclusion was that hitting weighted baseballs could mimic the impact condition of hitting pitched baseballs without changing the pattern of swing velocity, which suggested that this method has potential as a hitting drill for improving hitting perception at bat-ball contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Wen Yang
- Department of Sports Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chen Liu
- The Office of Physical Education, Chung Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Han Chen
- Graduate Institute of Sports Equipment Technology, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Hao Tai
- The Office of Physical Education, Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | | | - Hsi-Pin Ma
- Department of Electronic Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Center for Sport Science and Technology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chiang Liu
- Graduate Institute of Sports Equipment Technology, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Sport Science and Technology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- National Baseball Research and Development Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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Wilson R, Alder D, Miller-Dicks M, Poolton J. An examination of perceptual-motor recalibration in a 1-vs-1 anticipation test. J Sports Sci 2023; 41:1471-1482. [PMID: 37902048 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2023.2275486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the processes of perceptual-motor calibration/recalibration of defensive football players in a 1-vs-1 scenario. Ankle weights were used to reduce the acceleration capabilities of players performing an anticipation test, with the aim being to examine the player's response to the disturbance in terms of when movement was initiated and the impact on the mechanisms that underpinned anticipation, namely gaze behaviour. The ankle weights disturbed the perceptual-motor system and players initiated movement significantly earlier in the 1-vs-1 anticipation test. Analyses of perceptual-motor calibration/recalibration revealed that players acted closer to their maximal action capabilities prior to the addition of ankle weights, which negatively influenced the scaling of action capabilities. Moreover, players were unable to recalibrate whilst wearing ankle weights. However, following the withdrawal of the ankle weights, players were able to recalibrate within 11-15 trials. Players did not adapt gaze behaviour as a result of the disturbance being placed on the perceptual-motor system, but task familiarization resulted in more efficient eye movements. The results of this study show the importance of providing players the opportunity to "scale" action to perceptual information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricky Wilson
- Department of Curriculum and Quality Enhancement, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - David Alder
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
| | - Matt Miller-Dicks
- School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Jamie Poolton
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
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Warming Up With a Dynamic Moment of Inertia Bat Can Increase Bat Swing Speed in Competitive Baseball Players. J Sport Rehabil 2023; 32:1-8. [PMID: 35894920 DOI: 10.1123/jsr.2021-0351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While most baseball players' warm-up with a weighted bat/donut, there is evidence to suggest the swing speed decreases after the warm-up even though the bat feels lighter. Warming up with a dynamic moment of inertia bat may not decrease the swing speed and therefore improve the performance of baseball players. The hypothesis is that a dynamic moment of inertia bat will negate the effect of the kinesthetic illusion observed with a weighted bat. OBJECTIVE To measure the difference in bat swing speed between warming up with the dynamic moment of inertia bat compared with a weighted bat. METHODS Thirty-nine competitive baseball players participated in the study. All players were randomly assigned a warm-up tool that could be either a dynamic moment of inertia bat or a weighted bat. After the players' warm-up, they swung their normal bat, and the bat swing speed was measured using a high-speed camera. We used motion analysis software to calculate the swing speed which measured the linear displacement during the last 15 frames before ball contact. The process was then repeated so that each player had the chance to try both warm-up bats. RESULTS The post warm-up swing speeds using the dynamic moment of inertia bat were significantly faster compared with a weighted bat warm-up. There was a 0.56 (0.78) m/s (1.26 [1.74] mph) increase in swing speed when using the dynamic moment of inertia bat (P = .0001), which is an average increase of 2.10% compared with a weighted bat warm-up. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that using a dynamic moment of inertia bat before an at-bat can increase swing speed compared with a weighted warm-up. Future studies are needed to determine if using a dynamic moment of inertia bat as part of rehabilitation can facilitate returning to competition after injury by focusing on swing speed.
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Fernandez L, Montagne G, Casiez G. Studying the timescale of perceptual-motor (re)calibration following a change in visual display gain. Hum Mov Sci 2022; 82:102934. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2022.102934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Jermyn S, O'Neill C, Coughlan EK. The Acute Effects From the Use of Weighted Implements on Skill Enhancement in Sport: A Systematic Review. J Strength Cond Res 2021; 35:2922-2935. [PMID: 34341316 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000004109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Jermyn, S, Neill, CO, and Coughlan, EK. The acute effects from the use of weighted implements on skill enhancement in sport: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 35(10): 2922-2935, 2021-Weighted implements are used before competitive performance with the aim of enhancing motor skill execution on return to the standard implement. The purpose of this review was to analyze the existing literature pertaining to the acute effects of weighted implements on respective sporting performance. Following a systematic screening process, 25 studies were identified. This review highlighted the effects of (a) weighted balls and bats on throwing and batting performance and (b) indoor weight throw implements on indoor weight throw performance. Studies reported conflicting effects on immediate performance post-warm-up with the respective implements. Notably, although overweighted bats and overweight attachments are a prominent preparatory tool in baseball, this review found consistent and repeated evidence of degraded batting performance in striking-based studies. Decreased bat velocity, altered swing patterns, subjective-objective mismatches of bat speed and weight, temporal accuracy errors, and inadequate recalibration to the standard bat were identified as acute effects. This review identified an obvious dearth of research into the acute effects of weighted implements on motor skills in other sports with equally complex perceptual motor patterns, such as football (soccer), golf, rugby, basketball, and American football. Future weighted implement research should investigate the acute effects of respective implements on motor skill performance in other sports, such as those aforementioned, with the purpose of exploring relevant implications for preparatory strategies and immediate performance on return to the standard implement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Jermyn
- Department of Sport, Leisure & Childhood Studies, Munster Technological University, Cork Campus, Cork, Ireland
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Johnson CD, Eagle SR, LaGoy AD, Sinnott AM, Pepping GJ, Connaboy C. Establishing and Applying Measurement Reliability in Perceptual-Motor Coordination Tasks. ECOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/10407413.2021.1965479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caleb D. Johnson
- Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Shawn R. Eagle
- Rooney Sports Medicine-Concussion Program, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
| | - Alice D. LaGoy
- Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Aaron M. Sinnott
- Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Gert-Jan Pepping
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University
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Trounson KM, Busch A, French Collier N, Robertson S. Effects of acute wearable resistance loading on overground running lower body kinematics. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244361. [PMID: 33370355 PMCID: PMC7769488 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Field-based sports require athletes to run sub-maximally over significant distances, often while contending with dynamic perturbations to preferred coordination patterns. The ability to adapt movement to maintain performance under such perturbations appears to be trainable through exposure to task variability, which encourages movement variability. The aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which various wearable resistance loading magnitudes alter coordination and induce movement variability during running. To investigate this, 14 participants (three female and 11 male) performed 10 sub-maximal velocity shuttle runs with either no weight, 1%, 3%, or 5% of body weight attached to the lower limbs. Sagittal plane lower limb joint kinematics from one complete stride cycle in each run were assessed using functional data analysis techniques, both across the participant group and within-individuals. At the group-level, decreases in ankle plantarflexion following toe-off were evident in the 3% and 5% conditions, while increased knee flexion occurred during weight acceptance in the 5% condition compared with unloaded running. At the individual-level, between-run joint angle profiles varied, with six participants exhibiting increased joint angle variability in one or more loading conditions compared with unloaded running. Loading of 5% decreased between-run ankle joint variability among two individuals, likely in accordance with the need to manage increased system load or the novelty of the task. In terms of joint coordination, the most considerable alterations to coordination occurred in the 5% loading condition at the hip-knee joint pair, however, only a minority of participants exhibited this tendency. Coaches should prescribe wearable resistance individually to perturb preferred coordination patterns and encourage movement variability without loading to the extent that movement options become limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl M. Trounson
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Footscray, Victoria, Australia
- Western Bulldogs Football Club, Footscray, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aglaja Busch
- University Outpatient Clinic, Sports Medicine & Sports Orthopedics, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Neil French Collier
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Footscray, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sam Robertson
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Footscray, Victoria, Australia
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Acceptable timing error at ball-bat impact for different pitches and its implications for baseball skills. Hum Mov Sci 2019; 66:554-563. [PMID: 31254808 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In baseball hitting, batters need high precision timing control to hit the ball with bat's sweet spot. Knowing the acceptable range of timing error for hitting the ball in the aimed direction for various pitch types is helpful to understand whether the cause of the batter's mis-hit is a spatial or temporal error and highlight the motor skills required by the batter. The purpose of this study was to determine the acceptable timing error in different baseball pitches and the impact characteristics of mis-hits. Twenty-six high school baseball players hit a ball launched from a pitching machine with three types of pitches: fastballs, curveballs, and slowballs. We recorded the three-dimensional behavior of the ball, bat, and human body (pelvis) using an optical motion capture system. We then defined the optimal impact location based on timing accuracy, and determined the acceptable range of timing error by the interactive relationship between the horizontal orientation of the bat's long axis at the time of ball impact and the horizontal direction of the batted ball. The ±30° width in the horizontal direction of the batted ball was set as the precondition for the tolerance of timing. The acceptable timing error was ±7.9 ms for fastballs, ±10.7 ms for curveballs, and ±10.7 ms for slowballs, and the optimal timing for outside pitches was approximately 10 ms later than that for inside pitches. The timing error was also explained 38.1% by variation in the impact location along the long axis of the bat (R2 = 0.381, P < 0.001) and was minimized at a position close to the bat's sweet spot. These results suggest that the optimal impact location and acceptable range of timing error depend on the pitching course and speed and that timing accuracy is essential to achieve the spatial accuracy required to hit the ball at the bat's sweet spot.
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van Andel S, Cole MH, Pepping GJ. A systematic review on perceptual-motor calibration to changes in action capabilities. Hum Mov Sci 2017; 51:59-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Ohta Y. Effects of oncoming target velocities on rapid force production and accuracy of force production intensity and timing. J Sports Sci 2016; 35:2304-2312. [PMID: 27937970 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2016.1266017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to clarify the effects of oncoming target velocities on the ability of rapid force production and accuracy and variability of simultaneous control of both force production intensity and timing. Twenty male participants (age: 21.0 ± 1.4 years) performed rapid gripping with a handgrip dynamometer to coincide with the arrival of an oncoming target by using a horizontal electronic trackway. The oncoming target velocities were 4, 8, and 12 m · s-1, which were randomly produced. The grip force required was 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction. Although the peak force (Pf) and rate of force development (RFD) increased with increasing target velocity, the value of the RFD to Pf ratio was constant across the 3 target velocities. The accuracy of both force production intensity and timing decreased at higher target velocities. Moreover, the intrapersonal variability in temporal parameters was lower in the fast target velocity condition, but constant variability in 3 target velocities was observed in force intensity parameters. These results suggest that oncoming target velocity does not intrinsically affect the ability for rapid force production. However, the oncoming target velocity affects accuracy and variability of force production intensity and timing during rapid force production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Ohta
- a Faculty of Social Welfare, Department of Health and Welfare , Shizuoka University of Welfare , Yaizu , Japan
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Muscle activation characteristics of the front leg during baseball swings with timing correction for sudden velocity decrease. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124113. [PMID: 25918848 PMCID: PMC4412812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to clarify the activation characteristics of the vastus lateralis muscle in the front leg during timing correction for a sudden decrease in the velocity of a target during baseball swings. Eleven male collegiate baseball players performed coincident timing tasks that comprised constant velocity of 8 m/s (unchanged) and a sudden decrease in velocity from 8 to 4 m/s (decreased velocity). Electromyography (EMG) revealed that the muscle activation was typically monophasic when responding unchanged conditions. The type of muscle activation during swings in response to decreased velocity condition was both monophasic and biphasic. When biphasic activation appeared in response to decreased velocity, the impact time and the time to peak EMG amplitude were significantly prolonged and the timing error was significantly smaller than that of monophasic activation. However, the EMG onset from the target start was consistent both monophasic and biphasic activation in response to conditions of decreased velocity. In addition, batters with small timing errors in response to decreased velocity were more likely to generate biphasic EMG activation. These findings indicated that timing correction for a sudden decrease in the velocity of an oncoming target is achieved by modifying the muscle activation characteristics of the vastus lateralis muscle of front leg from monophasic to biphasic to delay reaching peak muscle activation and thus prolong impact time. Therefore, the present findings suggests that the extent of timing errors in response to decreased velocity is influenced by the ability to correct muscle activation after its initiation rather than by delaying the initiation timing of muscle activation during baseball swings.
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Ohta Y, Ishii Y, Ikudome S, Nakamoto H. Warm-up with Weighted Bat and Adjustment of Upper Limb Muscle Activity in Bat Swinging under Movement Correction Conditions. Percept Mot Skills 2014; 118:96-113. [PMID: 24724516 DOI: 10.2466/23.25.pms.118k15w8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The effects of weighted bat warm-up on adjustment of upper limb muscle activity were investigated during baseball bat swinging under dynamic conditions that require a spatial and temporal adjustment of the swinging to hit a moving target. Seven male college baseball players participated in this study. Using a batting simulator, the task was to swing the standard bat coincident with the arrival timing and position of a moving target after three warm-up swings using a standard or weighted bat. There was no significant effect of weighted bat warm-up on muscle activity before impact associated with temporal or spatial movement corrections. However, lower inhibition of the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle activity was observed in a velocity-changed condition in the weighted bat warm-up, as compared to a standard bat warm-up. It is suggested that weighted bat warm-up decreases the adjustment ability associated with inhibition of muscle activation under movement correction conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Ohta
- Department of Sports and Health Sciences, Aichi Shukutoku University
| | - Yasumitsu Ishii
- Center for Sports Training Research and Education, National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Japan
| | - Sachi Ikudome
- Faculty of Physical Education, National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nakamoto
- Faculty of Physical Education, National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Japan
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