Effects of Weighted Implement Training on Throwing Velocity

Thirty high school varsity male baseball pitchers were assigned randomly into an Over-weighted Implement Training Group (OITG), an Under-wighted Implement Training Group (UITG) or a Control Group (CON). During the 10-week training, OITG threw balls that systematically varied from 5 to 6 ounces and UITG threw balls that varied from 4 to 5 ounces. Throwing velocity of a standard ball was determined before and following training using electromagnetic radiation radar. Validation of the radar gun was performed prior to the experiment using a three-dimensional computerized motion analysis system. All three treatment groups showed various degrees of improvement in throwing velocity after 10 weeks of training. However, OITG and UITG showed significantly greater improvement than the CON when gain scores were compared (p < 0.05). The results of this study suggested that a much broader spectrum of weight traning methods may exist.