The Effects of 6-Week Training Programs on Throwing Accuracy, Proprioception, and Core Endurance in Baseball
Context:With a limited number of outcomes-based studies, only recommendations for strength-training and rehabilitation programs can be made.Objective:To determine the extent to which throwing accuracy, core stability, and proprioception improved after completion of a 6-week training program that included open kinetic chain (OKC), closed kinetic chain (CKC), and/or core-stability exercises.Design:A 2 × 3 factorial design.Setting:Division III college.Participants:19 healthy baseball athletes with a control group of 15.Interventions:Two 6-week programs including OKC, CKC, and core-stabilization exercises that were progressed each week.Main Outcome Measures:Functional throwing-performance index, closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test, back-extensor test, 45° abdominal-fatigue test, and right- and left-side bridging test.Results:There was no significant difference between groups. An increase was evident in all pretest-to-posttest results, with improvement ranging from 1.36% to 140%.Conclusion:Both of the 6-week training programs could be used to increase throwing accuracy, core stability, and proprioception in baseball.