The effects of 6-week training programs on throwing accuracy, proprioception, and core endurance in baseball.
BACKGROUND
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.


METHODS
A 2 x 3 factorial design.


METHODS
Division III college.


METHODS
19 healthy baseball athletes with a control group of 15.


METHODS
Two 6-week programs including OKC, CKC, and core-stabilization exercises that were progressed each week.


METHODS
Functional throwing-performance index, closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test, back-extensor test, 45 degrees 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%.


CONCLUSIONS
Both of the 6-week training programs could be used to increase throwing accuracy, core stability, and proprioception in baseball.
Lust
Kathleen R
KR
Athletic Training, Muskingum College, New Concord, OH 43762, USA.
Sandrey
Michelle A
MA
Bulger
Sean M
SM
Wilder
Nathan
N
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001484:Baseball / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology*