Strength And Speed Training Improves Pitching Velocity

Does Strength and Speed training improve pitching velocity? Most pitching coaches will say NO because either they have no experience with it or because they have no understand of the science behind it. The answer or should I say the secret is YES!
All you have to do is read the science behind it and also look at the results. The most recent example is Tim Collins. He is the pitcher for the Kansas City royals. He used a strength and conditioning program to increase his velocity from 82mph to 97mph in about 3 years. Another advocate for Strength training is Josh Beckett. This is a pic of him during his off-season training program. Here is one of his quotes from the Men’s Fitness article here:”

“What you do during the offseason is, first, build a base. That takes about three weeks, and then you try to get as strong as you can before you go to spring training. Once you get there, you taper down and it’s just a maintenance program for the next six or seven months.” – Josh beckett

The Myths Behind Strength Training for Pitchers

1. Strength training will make a pitcher tight and less flexible.
2. Strength training for a pitcher will increase his chance of injury.
3. Strength training for a pitcher will reduce his pitching velocity.
4. Strength training for a pitcher will hurt his mechanics.

Strength training must include a program that was developed for the pitcher but if done correctly, all of these myths are untrue. If a proper strength and conditioning program is used for a pitcher then here is a list of the benefits. This is no different for any sport and any position.

The Benefits of Strength and Conditioning for Pitchers

Along with these benefits is an article with more information to support these claims.

1. Improved joint mobility.
2. Enhanced performance and pitching velocity.
3. Increased longevity.
4. Help prevent injury.

The Research to support Strength and Speed training for Pitchers

1. Characteristic ground-reaction forces in baseball pitching. You can view the study here http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9474404. This was the final results of the study:
   

   This study validates the clinical impression that the lower extremity is an important contributor to the throwing motion. Based on this study, strengthening of the lower extremities could be inferred to be important both to enhance performance and to avoid injury.

2. Baseball Throwing Velocity: A Comparison of Medicine Ball Training and Weight Training. Here is a link to the entire study. This is an excerpt from the results of the study:
   

   The results of this study suggest that the use of heavier loads has been more effective than the medicine ball training in increasing velocity…..

   Kaneko et al, determined that training with heavier loads of 100% maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) resulted in increases not only in strength but also in unloaded movement speed. Similarly, a training study by Schmidtbleicher and Buehrly found that the use of relatively heavy loads of 80-90% MVC enhanced the performance of powerful dynamic movements more effectively than light loads.

3. Velocity specificity of resistance training. Here is the entire study http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8341872. This is an excerpt from the results of the study:
   

   A recent review by Behm and Sale concluded that balistic movements such as throwing and jumping are preprogrammed and that maximum limb velocity is determined principally by the rate of force development and overall force output. Improvement in these factors does not seem to require low load, high velocity training, but rather heavy loads or even isometric contractions. Research by Behm and Sale demonstrated that it may be the intention to move quickly that determines the velocity-specific response.

3X Extreme Pitching Velocity Program

A total scientific approach to pitching that is guaranteed to make you the best on your team and get you drafted one day. If you are tired of being coached by conventional wisdom and you know you have a ton more pitching velocity in you, then you must purchase this revolutionary approach to pitching velocity NOW. This program is for all ages and has everything you will ever need to add 5-10mph or more to your pitching velocity! So, don't blow another $500 on a month of bad pitching instruction when you can get started with the 3X Extreme Pitching Velocity Program and start adding pitching velocity TODAY!

What You Will Gain From the 3X Programs

• The Latest And Greatest Info And Research On Becoming A High Velocity Pitcher, PERIOD!
• An Insane Worth Ethic Which Will Make Your Team Envious!
• A 1.5 Power To Weight Ratio Which Will Make People Think You Are On Steroids!
• Perfect High Velocity Pitching Mechanics!
• A Totally New Perspective On How To Dominate On The Mound!
• 5-10 Or More MPH In Pitching Velocity!
• A Major League Edge On The Competition Which Will Make You Stand Out Among Scouts!
• The Top Pitching Velocity Program Online Which is Currently Used By Tons of Professionals, Major D1 Colleges and more!

Click here to read more… or order now to capture the 3X Extreme Pitching Velocity Program at an insane low price before it expires!