The Physiology of
Softball/Baseball
Megan M. Kiefer
ESS 110
Introduction to Coaching
April 15, 2009
Energy and Muscular Demands
Energy Fitness
Muscular Fitness
Aerobic
Anaerobic
Flexibility
Strength
Endurance
Speed
Power
Hitting &
Fielding
L
M-H
M
M-H
L-M
H
H
Baserunning
L-M
H
M
M
L-M
H
M-H
Pitching
L-M
M-H
H
M-H
M
M-H
H
Hitting &
Fielding
L
M-H
M
H
L
H
H
Baserunning
L-M
H
M
M
L
H
M-H
Pitching
M
M-H
H
M-H
M
M-H
H
ASEP
Me
Research says…
• ATP-PC: Essential for most common actions in
the sport including sprinting, hitting, and fielding.
Players uses this system about 80% of time
during performance
• Glycolytic: Used when a player is required to
run multiple bases, possibly less in softball than
baseball since bases are shorter distances. Still
anaerobic and necessary for the athlete, but less
is required of this system than the ATP-PC
• Aerobic: Rarely used due to ability to
rest/recover between actions. Training in this area
is not as essential
Conclusions
• Research is consistent with
ASEP model/my
estimations
• Training should put
emphasis on anaerobic
systems, particularly ATPPC
• Less focus on aerobic
systems
References
•
Chapter 28: Baseball. (1997, January). Cross-Training for Sports
•
Coleman, Eugene. "Running Speeds of Major League Baseball Players."
Journal of Exercise Physiology 8(2005).
•
Ko, B., & Kim, J. (2005, June). Physical Fitness Profiles of Elite Ball Game
Athletes. International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 17(1), 71-87.
•
Martens, R (2004). Successful Coaching. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics
Publishers.
•
Perelli, D. (1996, August). The relationship between pitching velocity and
anaerobic power - literature review. Strength & Conditioning, 18(4), 58-63.
•
Potteiger, J., Williford, H., Blessing, D., & Smidt, J. (1992, February). Effect of
two training methods on improving baseball performance variables. Journal of
Applied Sport Science Research, 6(1), 2-6.
•
Wilmore, J et al (2008). Physiology of Sport and Exercise.
•
York, H. (1995). Contributions of anticipation timing and anaerobic power to
batting performance in slow pitch softball. .