Influence of Baseball Training Load on Clinical Reach Tests and Grip Strength in Collegiate Baseball Players

Training and physiological characteristics of American and Japanese female track and field athletes

BACKGROUND

Intensive training without appropriate recovery can predispose athletes to injury. Balancing these two facets-training and recovery-is crucial for keeping athletes at their highest possible performance level while lowering their risk of training-related injury. Cultural differences may also affect athletes' training and daily routines, but research investigating the effects of cultural background on female track and field athletes is lacking.

METHODS

In total, 49 Japanese and 28 American track and field athletes competing at the national level were included in this study. Their body composition was evaluated and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and a survey regarding training schedules, recovery practices, and performance levels were conducted.

RESULTS

Compared with the Japanese athletes, the American athletes had significantly higher height, weight, and body mass index measurements, although their performance levels did not differ. Japanese athletes trained for significantly longer hours both on school days and non-school days and spent significantly fewer days per week on weight training. The Japanese athletes slept, on average, for 1 hour less per day than the American athletes, and their EAT-26 scores were significantly higher than those of the American athletes (both p < 0.01). The number of days off per week was positively correlated with performance, but training hours on school days and fat mass percentage were negatively correlated with performance (p < 0.05). Further, days off per week and nationality were correlated with EAT-26 scores (both p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The American and Japanese athletes performed similarly, but the Japanese athletes were achieving their performance level with less sleep, longer training hours, and a higher risk of developing an eating disorder.

Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Baseball: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019

CONTEXT

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has supported men's baseball championships since 1947. Since its inception, the number of participating teams and athletes has considerably expanded.

BACKGROUND

Frequently conducting injury surveillance of collegiate baseball athletes is essential for identifying developing temporal patterns.

METHODS

Exposure and injury data collected in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program during 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics; injury rate ratios were used to examine differential injury rates.

RESULTS

The overall injury rate was 3.16 per 1000 athlete-exposures. The preseason injury rate was significantly higher than the regular season injury rate. The most commonly injured body parts were shoulder (16.1%), arm or elbow (16%), and hand or wrist (13.9%). The most reported specific injury was hamstring tear (7.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study aligned with previous studies-most injuries were due to noncontact and overuse mechanisms, less than one-half of injuries were related to upper extremity body parts, and one-third of all injuries were reported among pitchers.