title: Effect of whole-body vibration warm-up on bat speed in women softball players.
abstract: Whole-body vibration (WBV) may enhance human performance via augmented muscular strength and motor function if used before performance. Because warm-up is a crucial aspect of preparation for performance, it remains unknown if WBV may enhance bat speed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of WBV warm-up on bat speed. Eleven National Collegiate Athletic Association division I and 11 recreationally trained female softball players volunteered to participate. Subjects randomly performed 3 different warm-up conditions consisting of WBV alone, dry swings alone (DS), and WBV with dry swings (WBVDS). Whole-body vibration was performed on a pivotal vibration platform at a frequency of 25 Hz and an amplitude of 13 mm for one 30-second bout. Thirty seconds after each warm-up condition, 5 maximal bat swings were recorded. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between groups by training status, and there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between WBV (42.39 +/- 9.83 mph), DS (40.45 +/- 11.00 mph), or WBVDS (37.98 +/- 12.40 mph) conditions. These results indicate that WBV warm-up may be used in place of DS to achieve similar bat speeds. Future research should investigate different combinations of WBV warm-up using various frequencies, durations, amplitudes, and rest times.
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, California.
authors.forename: Nicole C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Dabbs
authors.forename: Lee E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Jared W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Coburn
authors.forename: Scott K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lynn
authors.forename: Matt S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Biagini
authors.forename: Tai T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Tran
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D001484:Baseball / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D014732:Vibration; D055815:Young Adult