Athletics have changed dramatically over the last century, with an obvious assurance that these will continue to change as long as athletes strive to be the best. The most competitive athletes will often do practically anything to boost performance in hopes of being on top. Whether it is psychological or physical, a competitor is always seeking that certain "edge" that opponents lack. This evolution of larger athletes has rapidly progressed over the last few decades, as dedicated athletes often spend hours upon hours in the weight room, attempting to attain more muscle to help achieve victory.
There is no concrete statistic that proves the larger the athlete, the more success he will accomplish. However, by investigating the sizes of baseball players who have been successful in recent years, one comes to the conclusion that larger players are generally more successful than those of smaller stature. With this theory being stated, some athletes yearn to become larger in any way, shape, or form.
[...] www.jssm.org Summary- Biomechanics of pitching/throwing a baseball Key quotes- It would follow then that any increase in the amount of shoulder anterior force during the arm cocking phase could be directly associated with pathology at the ligamentous restraints such as increasing anterior shoulder instability. A reduction in the amount of x-axis movement was strongly associated with an increase in fastball velocity, and perceived skill level. These findings concur with the observations of Feltner (1989) who suggested Throwing mechanics, pathology, and performance suggested that the rotation around a relatively stationary non-throwing shoulder would give rise to higher trunk rotation torques and therefore higher throwing velocity. [...]
[...] Studies involving adult baseball players have demonstrated that the strength of shoulder adductors, wrist extensors and elbow extensors have predicted throwing speed (Clements, Ginn, Henley). As mentioned previously, there is no concrete statistic which confirms the larger and more conditioned the athlete, the more success he or she will accomplish. However, by investigating the sizes and condition of athletes who have been successful in recent years, one comes to the conclusion that larger, well conditioned athletes are commonly more successful than the opposite. With this being stated more and more athletes strive to become larger, more conditioned and take better care of their body. [...]
[...] So not only does weight training make an athlete stronger and more flexible, but it does wonders for those who are strained mentally, such as the collegiate student-athlete. This means time spent in the weight room can be used in a complementary manner, balancing both sports and school, ultimately improving both. As mentioned before, if there is a direct correlation between success in baseball and possessing a large body, athletes make it an obligation to hit the weight room as often as possible to fully reap the benefits. [...]
[...] One reason baseball players partake in strength training activities would be for injuries, both preventing potential harm and strengthening previous ones. Training with weights has been shown to help build strength, which can help minimize the chance of injury, improving resistance to fatigue and increasing strength endurance. In the case of strengthening the arm muscles in order to throw harder and longer, it's widely known that partaking in weight training will help. The article “Resistance Training for the Young Athlete”, found in the journal Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine touches on this in a further extent; Overhead-motion athletes may benefit from the addition of auxiliary scapular stabilization and rotator cuff strengthening exercises, whereas running and cutting sport athletes may benefit from the addition of lower extremity balance exercises to supplement their standard whole resistance training program (Myer and Wall). [...]
[...] This would be an appropriate number in order to indicate whether or not there was a direct correlation in participating in weight training and having success on the baseball field. This age group is determined by a few factors, the first being maturity of the body, as 16 can be looked at as a basis of what one's body will look like when fully grown. Also, any heavy lifting before the high school age is usually not recommended as athlete's can cause serious damage to their bodies. [...]
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