A Study Of The Effect Of Various Training Programs Upon Velocity And Accuracy In Throwing A Baseball

Author : Jason Blaine Oatman
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 70 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (913 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book Variable Training with Random Pitch Throwing (higher Level of Contextual Interference) written by Jason Blaine Oatman and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 70 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introduction: When starting at the collegiate level, pitchers typically pitch to one side of the plate, due to success of using that method at the high school level. Training is needed to promote pitching to both sides of the plate with accuracy and consistency to achieve success. Variable practice and practicing with higher levels of contextual interference (CI), such as random practice, have shown to improve performance on retention tests. If a new training drill using variable practice with random pitches thrown (higher levels of CI) is tested and improved pitching accuracy, coaches could incorporate this method with evidence based research and confidence. Methods: A randomized pretest-posttest experimental design was used to test the hypotheses. Eight college baseball pitchers were divided into two groups with both throwing random pitches (higher level of CI). One group used variable practice, while the other used constant practice. The variable practice group used a three home plate apparatus (THPA) to improve their release point during flat group work for better accuracy on the posttest. Results: Results indicate that the null hypothesis was accepted: Variable practice with randomly thrown pitches (higher level of CI) had no effect on pitching accuracy to both sides of the plate after a six week training session (p>.05). Specifically, the control group in the pretest had 6 ± 2.83 (M ± SD) pitches outside to a righty compared to 5.5 ± 1.73 (M ± SD) pitches in the posttest. For inside to a righty in the pretest, they had 6 ± 0.82 (M ± SD) pitches, and then in the posttest, they had 6.75 ± 2.63 (M ± SD) pitches. The experimental group increased their average and standard deviation of pitches on both sides of the plate from the pretest to the posttest, but not significantly. The experimental group in the pretest threw 4.75 ± 1.5 (M ± D) pitches to the outside portion of the plate to a right handed batter, compared to 6.5 ± 2.38 (M ± SD) pitches in the posttest. The experimental group had 4.75 ± 0.96 (M ± SD) pitches inside to a righty in the pretest, and 5.25 ± 1.71 (M ± SD) pitches in the posttest. No significant increase was found in the scores (p > .05). However, when the average change for outside to righty is evaluated, the control group mean decreased a half of pitch, while the experimental increased 1.5 pitches. For the inside to righty data, both group means increased .75 pitches; however, variability was large for both plate locations. Discussion: Magill and Hall (1990) reviewed previous studies about CI and variable practice used in various populations. Since motor programs were the same in practice sessions and transfer tests, they stated that the use of random practice (higher level of CI) would not produce superior results. This was illustrated in the current study. Magill and Hall (1990) also indicated that the use of different motor programs in practice sessions using random practice (higher level of CI) produced improvement in the transfer tests. Conclusion: Variable practice with randomly thrown pitches (higher level of CI) did not have an effect on pitching accuracy to both sides of the plate after a six week training session. Noting the trend of some accuracy increases by the experimental group, it would be worthy to repeat the study with a larger sample size, extend to an eight week program, and maintain a continuous schedule without outside distractions.