Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Mark Romanick

Keywords

Baseball; Shoulder -- physiology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in throwing velocity exhibited by subjects placed in a straight-line resistance-training group, a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) resistance-training group, and a control group in order to compare benefits between training programs. Subjects were comprised of 42 college students between the ages of 18 and 30. The subjects were placed in one of the three experimental groups (straight-line resistance-training, PNF resistance training, and control) using Theraband™ elastic tubing. Each subject's overhand throwing velocity was measured on two separate occasions separated by 8-weeks of training. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was used to assess subject intensity during training. Overhand throwing velocity in both the straight-line and the PNF resistance training groups showed a significant increase in throwing velocity when compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in throwing velocity exhibited between the straight-line and the PNF resistance-training groups. The results indicate that strength training can increase maximal throwing velocity in an 8 week period of time. Although the difference in velocity gains between the straight-line and the PNF resistance training groups were not statistically significant, the PNF program, due to the shorter time it takes to administer, may be of more benefit to the user than the straight-line resistance training program.

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