The Training Effects of Wearable Resistance on Throwing Performance in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers: A Pilot Study
Date
Authors
Job, Trey DW
Cross, Matthew R
Cronin, John B
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Human Kinetics
Abstract
Purpose: The objective of this study was to explore the effects of training using wearable resistance (WR) applied above the elbow of the throwing arm on throwing velocity, arm speed, shoulder internal and external rotation, strength, and range of motion in baseball pitchers. Methods: College baseball pitchers (N = 17) participated in a volume-matched 6-week throwing program, twice per week, unloaded (quasi-control) or with WR added to the upper arm (intervention). Arm speed was measured with an inertial sensor, throwing velocity via radar gun, shoulder rotator peak force (Fₘₐₓ) with a strain gauge, and range of motion by a goniometer, before and after training. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine differences between groups, time (pre and post), and their interaction with random intercepts for participants. Results: A significant effect from pretesting to posttesting was observed in external-rotation range of motion (η²ₚ =.456, P = .005) and tended to increase more in the control group (interaction, η²ₚ =.261, P = .047). Otherwise, no other statistically significant differences were observed. Conclusion: This was the first WR training study with pitchers, and the lack of clear improvement using upper-arm WR loading was notable. Future researchers should explore the efficacy of lower-arm loading and/or potentially increase training volume as a means of stimulating adaptation.Description
Keywords
1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 1116 Medical Physiology, 1701 Psychology, Sport Sciences, 3202 Clinical sciences, 3208 Medical physiology, 4207 Sports science and exercise, loaded throwing, shoulder strength, pitching, resistance training, throwing velocity
Source
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, ISSN: 1555-0265 (Print); 1555-0273 (Online), Human Kinetics, 1-7. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2024-0530
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This is the Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in the
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance © 2025 Human Kinetics, available at DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2024-0530