Interaction Between Age and Change in Velocity During a Baseball Training Program

Abstract

Background: Pitching velocity is one of the most important metrics used to evaluate a baseball pitcher’s effectiveness. The relationship between age and pitching velocity after a lighter ball baseball training program has not been determined. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between age and pitching velocity after a lighter ball baseball training program. We hypothesized that pitching velocity would significantly increase in all adolescent age groups after a lighter baseball training program, without a significant difference in magnitude of increase based on age. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Baseball pitchers aged 10 to 17 years who completed a 15-week training program focused on pitching mechanics and velocity improvement were included in this study. Pitchers were split into 3 groups based on age (group 1, 10-12 years; group 2, 13-14 years; group 3, 15-17 years), and each group trained independently. Pitch velocity was assessed at 4 time points (sessions 3, 10, 17, and 25). Mean, maximum, and mean change in pitch velocity between sessions were compared by age group. Results: A total of 32 male baseball pitchers were included in the analysis. Mean/maximum velocity increased in all 3 age groups: 3.4/4.8 mph in group 1, 5.3/5.5 mph in group 2, and 5.3/5.2 mph in group 3. While mean percentage change in pitch velocity increased in all 3 age groups (group 1, 6.5%; group 2, 8.3%; group 3, 7.6%), the magnitude of change was not significantly different among age groups. Program session number had a significant effect on mean and maximum velocity, with higher mean and maximum velocity seen at later sessions in the training program (P =.018). There was no interaction between age and program session within either mean or maximum velocity (P =.316 and.572, respectively). Conclusion: Age had no significant effect on the magnitude of increase in maximum or mean baseball pitch velocity during a velocity and mechanics training program in adolescent males.