The Influence of Different Weighted Warm-up Bats on Swinging Performance

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of different weighted warm-up bats on swinging performance in varsity softball players. Ten active participating Division I female softball varsity athletes volunteered to participate. The order of the three warm-ups were randomized at the beginning of testing session and all conditions were completed in one visit. Subjects performed a self -selected warm up (instructed to simulate their on-deck warm up routine) with a normal weight (NW); 29oz, heavy (HW); 45oz or light-weight (LW); 13oz bat immediately following 5 maximal bat swings using a normal weight bat. Following each condition a 3mins washout/rest period was given prior to the following condition. This wash out/rest period allows adequate time decreased fatigue between conditions. A 1x3 repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze mean differences. There were no significant (p>.1) differences in maximal bat swing velocity following NW (56.97 + or - 14.82mph), LW (48.34 + or - 20.47mph) and HW (51.22 + or - 22.70mph).