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

ABSTRACT

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 x 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 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%. CONCLUSION: Both of the 6-week training programs could be used to increase throwing accuracy, core stability, and proprioception in baseball.