Study: Effect of Wrist/Forearm Training on Bat Speed
Dr. Szymanski is an assistant professor here at La Tech and is one of the main reasons I decided to attend. As I've mentioned, we've already started a study about the effects of weight lifting on bat speed and batted ball speed.
Basically, this study finds that although group 2 (which does additional grip/forearm strngthening exercises) achievs significatly greater grip/forearm strength, but their bat speed does not improve significantly as compared to group 1.
I do have a copy of this entire article, but I will post the abstract (as found here) below:
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Szymanski DJ; McIntyre JS; Szymanski JM; Molloy JM; Madsen NH; Pascoe DD
Department of Health and Human Performance, Auburn University, Alabama 36849, USA. dszyman@latech.edu
This study examined the effects of 12 weeks of wrist and forearm training on linear bat-end velocity (BV), center of percussion velocity (CV), hand velocity (HV), and time to ball contact of high school baseball players. Forty-three baseball players were randomly assigned by a stratified sampling technique to 1 of 2 training groups. Group 1 (n = 23) and group 2 (n = 20) performed the same full-body resistance exercises while training 3 days a week for 12 weeks according to a stepwise periodized model. Group 2 also performed wrist and forearm exercises 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Wrist and forearm strength were measured pre- and posttraining. Linear BV, CV, HV, and time to ball contact were recorded pre- and posttraining by a motion-capture system. A 3 repetition maximum (RM) parallel squat and bench press were measured at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of training. Both groups showed statistically significant increases (p < or = 0.01) in linear BV, CV, and HV (m.s(-1) +/- SD) after 12 weeks of training; however, there were no differences between the 2 groups. Both groups statistically increased wrist and forearm strength (p < or = 0.05). Group 2 had statistically greater increases (p < or = 0.05) in 10 of 12 wrist and forearm strength measures than did group 1. Both groups made statistically significant increases in predicted 1RM parallel squat and bench press after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of training; however, there were no differences between groups. These data indicate that a 12-week stepwise periodized training program can significantly increase wrist and forearm strength, linear BV, CV, and HV among high school baseball players. However, increased wrist and forearm strength did not contribute to further increases in linear BV, CV, or HV.
These accompanying charts and figures may also be of interest:
*of special note is that the study was done with HIGH SCHOOL players
My basic comment is that forearm and grip strength does not have to be totally neglected, but it also does not have to be insanely over-hyped. There are plenty of exercises and training scenarios that allow a player to focus on moving and using the major muscle groups while allowing grip and forearm strength to improve (ie deadlift)
from "Practical Applications":
"Although baseball coaches believe that strong wrists and forearms are essential to good hitting, the results of the present study indicate that high school baseball players do not need to perform additional forearm exercises to increase bat velocity."
Comment:
Although baseball coaches believe that strong wrists and forearms are essential to good hitting, the results of the present study does not indicate that high school baseball players do not need to perform additional forearm exercises to increase hitting ability.
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Ray, what are you trying to say here? Differentiating between bat speed and hitting ability?
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