Changes in the physique of Japanese professional baseball players (1950-2002)

Abstract

The changes in physique of Japanese professional baseball players from 1950 to 2002 were studied and compared with that of Major League players and Japanese adult males. The study found that the average heights of Japanese professional baseball players were 170.7 cm in 1950 and 180.1 cm in 2002 ; his respective average weights were 65.0 kg and 79.8 kg. The average BMI of Japanese players continuously increased during that period. In detail, the heights of the pitchers were the greatest of the four categorized positions, and the weights of the catchers were the highest, from 1969 until today. The average BMI of the catchers were higher than the other players, and that of the pitchers were lower, compared to that of the other players from 1973 until today. Furthermore, the average heights of Japanese players were greater than, and their average weights were higher than, the average Japanese adult males. Regarding Japanese players compared to Major League players, the difference in their average heights were 11.4 cm in 1950 and 4.9 cm in 2002 ; the difference in respective average weights were 17.7 kg and 13.1 kg. It can thus be concluded that from 1950 to 2002 the physique of Japanese players significantly increased while that of Major League players changed little over the same period. This means that the difference in the physiques of both sets of players has gradually decreased over the last 53 years.