【論文摘要】Impact of Core Control on Batting Mechanics and Bat-swing Velocity in Collegiate Baseball Players

【論文摘要】核心控制對大學棒球選手揮棒力學機制與揮棒速度之影響

張鴻仁(Hung-Ren Chang) ； 郭怡良(Yi-Liang Kuo)

《物理治療》 46卷2期 (2021/06) Pp. 109-110

https://doi.org/10.6215/FJPT.202106.O18

摘要

Background and Purpose: Baseball batting is a complex motion that requires multiple joints to interact smoothly and effectively. The hips, the pelvic, the spine, and the shoulder form a kinetic link to transfer energy from the lower extremities to the upper extremities during the batting. The lumbopelvic-hip complex, which many specialists define this area as the core, theoretically plays a key role within this kinetic link. The optimal function of the core is important in sports; however, no study has investigated the influence of core control on baseball batting. Moreover, current research evidence on the effects of core control on baseball pitching is controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of core control on batting mechanics and bat-swing velocity in collegiate baseball players. Methods: A total of 20 baseball players from college baseball teams in Tainan (aged 19.4 ± 0.9 years, height 174.4 ± 5.2 cm, and weight 75.2 ± 10.2 kg) participated in this study. The number of asymmetrical tests of Functional Movement Screen (FMS) was used to divide the participants into the stable and unstable core control groups. Bat swing velocity and three-dimensional kinematic data of the hips, the pelvis, the spine, and the shoulders were acquired by a 13-camera VICON motion capture system. Ground reaction force of both legs was measured with two AMTI force platforms. All participants were expressed as right-handed batter during data analysis. Data of batting kinematics and bat-swing velocity between the stable core control group and unstable core control group were compared using independent t-tests. The level of statistical significance was set at p ＜ 0.05. Results: Bat-swing velocity was higher in the stable core control group than in the unstable core control group (93.2 ± 7.0 vs. 85.3 ± 6.0 km/hr, t = 2.738, p = 0.014, 95% confidence interval [CI] of mean difference: 1.914.1). Compared with the unstable core control group, the stable core control group had greater pelvic backward rotation (away from the batting target) (31.8 ± 9.8 vs. 23.7 ± 6.7 degrees, t = 2.159, p = 0.046, 95% CI: 0.216.0) and trunk right rotation (27.2 ± 3.7 vs. 22.6 ± 5.2 degrees, t = 2.302, p = 0.033, 95% CI: 0.48.8) during the bat swing phase. Furthermore, the stable core control group had greater maximal angular velocity of stride hip flexion (286.0 ± 53.2 vs. 219.9 ± 48.1 degrees/ sec, t = 2.915, p ＜ 0.01, 95% CI: 18.5113.9), trunk left rotation (319.1 ± 44.0 vs. 264.6 ± 60.2 degrees/ sec, t = 2.315, p = 0.033, 95% CI: 5.0104.1), and left shoulder internal rotation (87.1 ± 66.9 vs. -2.1 ± 91.4 degrees/sec, t = 2.490, p = 0.023, 95% CI: 13.9{164.5). No significant difference was observed in the temporal sequence of rotation movement in the hips, the pelvis, the spine, and the shoulders between both groups. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that core control is related to batting mechanics and bat-swing velocity in collegiate baseball players. Clinical Relevance: Coaches, athletic trainers, and baseball players may consider incorporating core control training to improve batting mechanics and bat-swing velocity.