Affiliations: [a] Office of Physical Education, National Tsing Hua
University, Hsinchu, Taiwan | [b] Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science,
National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan, Taiwan | [c] Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Chang
Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan | [d] Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University,
Taoyuan, Taiwan | [e] Office of Physical Education, Chung Hua University,
Hsinchu, Taiwan | [f] Graduate Institute of Sports Equipment Technology,
Taipei Physical Education College, Taipei, Taiwan | [g] National Baseball Research and Development Center,
Taipei, Taiwan
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Trunk muscle endurance training is used by most
high school baseball or softball coaches. However, evidence demonstrating a
relationship between trunk muscle endurance and batting performance is lacking. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish a relationship between trunk
muscle endurance and bat swing velocity in a high school baseball team. METHOD: Sixty-one high school (15–18 years old) baseball players, taken from
the same team, with 6.5 ± 1.3 years of training experience, participated
in the following tests: static trunk flexion/extension endurance tests, dynamic
trunk flexion/extension endurance tests and a maximum bat swing velocity test. RESULTS: Bat swing velocity showed significant low-to-moderate negative
correlations with static trunk flexor endurance (P=0.001, r=−0.404),
dynamic trunk flexor endurance (P=0.016, r= −0.308) and the ratio of
static flexor/extensor endurance (P=0.021, r=−0.298). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the concept that better trunk flexor endurance might not
benefit batting performance. Trunk flexor endurance training should not be
over-emphasized when the targeted training goal is to enhance bat swing velocity.
