abstract: This study investigated the effect of two different preparation methods on hitting performance in a high&ndashfidelity; baseball batting simulation. Novice and expert players participated in one of three conditions: observation (viewing a video of the goal action), visualization (hearing a script of the goal action), or a no&ndashpreparation; control group. Each participant completed three different hitting tasks: pull hit, opposite&ndashfield; hit, and sacrifice fly. Experts had more successful hits, overall, than novices. The number of successful hits was significantly higher for both the observation and visualization conditions than for the control. In most cases, performance was best in the observation condition. Experts demonstrated greater effects from the mental preparation techniques compared to novices. However, these effects were mediated by task difficulty. The difference between experts and novices, as well as the difference between the observation and visualization conditions was greater for the more difficult hitting task (opposite&ndashfield; hitting) than for the easier hitting task (sacrifice fly). These effects of mental preparation were associated with significant changes in batting kinematics (e.g., changes in point of bat/ball contact and swing direction). The results indicate that mental preparation can improve directional hitting ability in baseball with the optimal preparation methods depending on skill&ndashlevel; and task difficulty. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Applied Psychology 2010

Throughout the decades, both professional and amateur athletes has been trying to enhance their performance with regard to hitting a baseball. Even through the methods for attaining this goal have changed many times since the early beginnings of the sport, there remain differing opinions as to the best method of acquiring a high level of hitting efficiency. For the purpose of this study, hitting efficiency will be defined as the degree of solid contact made by the performer when attempting to hit a baseball. It was the intention of Coach Al Endriss (1986) to invent a hitting aid that would not only increase the amount of solid contact by his players, but also produce less strikeouts and consequently, more productive hitting. Endriss' philosophy is that the more solid contact the hitter can achieve, the greater chance there is of reaching base safely. These concepts sparked the beginning of the Thunderstick, which is now produced from sizes for the little leaguer to the intercollegiate athlete who seek to sharpen their visual-motor skills. The Thunderstick is recognized as registered trademark of the Easton Aluminum Company. For a comparative diagram of the Thunderstick and a regulation aluminum bat, refer to Appendix A. The Thunderstick is a specially designed batting device that possesses unique and revolutionary characteristics that separate it from a regulation aluminum bat. A review of the literature on batting practice techniques revealed several different methods by which an individual can increase his hitting skills through a variety of practice drills such as the batting tee drill, soft-toss drill, screen-toss drill, and live hitting off a pitching machine. The practice drill that was chosen for this study, to be used in combination with the Thunderstick, was the batting tee drill. A need to gain more knowledge of the specific ways that athletes of all ages may improve their hitting skills through practice techniques would appear to facilitate the question posed as to how using the Thunderstick affects hitting efficiency. If it can be proven as a valid and reliable means of increasing solid contact, the Thunderstick would prove helpful to the entire population of participating baseball players.

Cricket has evolved from a traditional and conservative sport to a fast-paced, vigorous game. As a result of this the physical conditioning programmes of players have changed drastically with regular fitness tests that are now an integral part of these programmes. In spite of this, no studies have made an attempt to determine the exact relationship between the physical and motor ability parameters of batsmen and their performance. The purpose of this study was, therefore, firstly to determine which physical and motor ability parameters discriminate between successful and less successful provincial academy batsmen and secondly, to determine how much these parameters contribute to the batting performance of provincial academy batsmen. Twenty-two batsmen from the Gauteng and North-West cricket academies in South Africa were used in this study. Thirteen batsmen (20.15 +- 1.41 years) participated during the 2004 season whilst nine batsmen (21.11 +- 1.83 years) took part during the 2005 season. The players were subjected to 23 physical and motor ability tests, whilst 72 isokinetic measurements were also taken. The data was analysed by means of descriptive statistics, cluster analyses, forward stepwise discriminant analyses and finally forward stepwise multiple regression analyses. The discriminant analyses showed that right (RKEPT) and left knee extensor peak torque (LKEPT), right knee extensor average power (RKEAP), left knee extensor total work (LKETW) and left knee flexor peak torque (LKFPT) (all at 30°/sec), as well as LKEPT, RKEPT and L.KEAP (all at 24O°/sec ), left (LIRAP) and right shoulder internal rotator average power (RIRAP). right shoulder external/internal rotator peak torque ratio (REIRPTR) and right shoulder internal rotator peak torque (RIRPTJ (all at 24O°/sec) as well as left shoulder internal rotator total work (LIRTW) (60°/sec) discriminated non-significantly between the successfu1 (top 5 ranked batsmen of both seasons) and less successful academy batsmen. The physical and motor ability parameters which were identified as discriminators were left 505 agility, shuttle run aerobic endurance and IRM (repetition-maximum) hack squat strength (all significant) (p 5<= 0.05) whilst left grip strength and abdominal muscle strength discriminated non-significantly. The forward stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that RKEPT 30' (16%). LKEPT 30' (7%), RKEAP 30' (7%), LKFPT 30' (7%), LKEAP 240" (6%), RKFPT 240" (5%). LKETW 30" (5%) and LKEPT240° (4%) were the isokinetic knee strength parameters which contributed non-significantly to batting performance. The isokinetic shoulder strength parameters which also contributed non-significantly to batting performance were: RIRPT240° (28%). LIRAP 240' (16%), REZRPTR 240' (8%). LIRTW 60° (5%) and RIRAP 240' (4%). Vertical jumping power (13%) (p 50.05), left 505 agility (9%) (p 50.05), abdominal muscle strength (5%) (p 50.05), aerobic capacity (10%). IRM bench press strength (7%), IRM hack squat strength as well as left shoulder internal rotation flexibility (4% each) were the physical and motor ability parameters which contributed to batting performance. The conclusion that can, therefore, be drawn is that physical and motor ability parameters contribute to the performance of provincial academy batsmen and that these components should be included in the physical conditioning programmes of batsmen / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1986 S67 / Master of Science / Kinesiology

No description available.

Cricket has evolved from a traditional and conservative sport to a fast-paced, vigorous game. As a result of this the physical conditioning programmes of players have changed drastically with regular fitness tests that are now an integral part of these programmes. In spite of this, no studies have made an attempt to determine the exact relationship between the physical and motor ability parameters of batsmen and their performance. The purpose of this study was, therefore, firstly to determine which physical and motor ability parameters discriminate between successful and less successful provincial academy batsmen and secondly, to determine how much these parameters contribute to the batting performance of provincial academy batsmen. Twenty-two batsmen from the Gauteng and North-West cricket academies in South Africa were used in this study. Thirteen batsmen (20.15 +- 1.41 years) participated during the 2004 season whilst nine batsmen (21.11 +- 1.83 years) took part during the 2005 season. The players were subjected to 23 physical and motor ability tests, whilst 72 isokinetic measurements were also taken. The data was analysed by means of descriptive statistics, cluster analyses, forward stepwise discriminant analyses and finally forward stepwise multiple regression analyses. The discriminant analyses showed that right (RKEPT) and left knee extensor peak torque (LKEPT), right knee extensor average power (RKEAP), left knee extensor total work (LKETW) and left knee flexor peak torque (LKFPT) (all at 30°/sec), as well as LKEPT, RKEPT and L.KEAP (all at 24O°/sec ), left (LIRAP) and right shoulder internal rotator average power (RIRAP). right shoulder external/internal rotator peak torque ratio (REIRPTR) and right shoulder internal rotator peak torque (RIRPTJ (all at 24O°/sec) as well as left shoulder internal rotator total work (LIRTW) (60°/sec) discriminated non-significantly between the successfu1 (top 5 ranked batsmen of both seasons) and less successful academy batsmen. The physical and motor ability parameters which were identified as discriminators were left 505 agility, shuttle run aerobic endurance and IRM (repetition-maximum) hack squat strength (all significant) (p 5<= 0.05) whilst left grip strength and abdominal muscle strength discriminated non-significantly. The forward stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that RKEPT 30' (16%). LKEPT 30' (7%), RKEAP 30' (7%), LKFPT 30' (7%), LKEAP 240" (6%), RKFPT 240" (5%). LKETW 30" (5%) and LKEPT240° (4%) were the isokinetic knee strength parameters which contributed non-significantly to batting performance. The isokinetic shoulder strength parameters which also contributed non-significantly to batting performance were: RIRPT240° (28%). LIRAP 240' (16%), REZRPTR 240' (8%). LIRTW 60° (5%) and RIRAP 240' (4%). Vertical jumping power (13%) (p 50.05), left 505 agility (9%) (p 50.05), abdominal muscle strength (5%) (p 50.05), aerobic capacity (10%). IRM bench press strength (7%), IRM hack squat strength as well as left shoulder internal rotation flexibility (4% each) were the physical and motor ability parameters which contributed to batting performance. The conclusion that can, therefore, be drawn is that physical and motor ability parameters contribute to the performance of provincial academy batsmen and that these components should be included in the physical conditioning programmes of batsmen / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Toledo, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-46). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Toledo, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-46).

The primary aim of this study was to determine the visual gaze behaviour of sub-elite cricket batsmen when facing fast in-swing and out-swing bowling. To achieve the aim of this study, two main objectives were set: (1) to describe and compare the visual gaze behaviour of sub-elite cricket batsmen for both successful and unsuccessful trials irrespective of the ball faced; and (2) to describe and compare the visual gaze behaviour of sub-elite cricket batsmen for both in-swing and out-swing bowling trials irrespective of the outcome. The gaze behaviour characteristics were described and compared in terms areas of interest (AOI), number of fixations, duration of each fixation, starting and last fixation, and order of fixations. The study was pre-experimental in nature and utilised a quantitative approach. A One group post-test only design was followed in this study. A total of 13 batsmen were tested that met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study by means of purposive sampling. Four different variables were assessed: eye dominance, visual gaze behaviour, the speed of delivery and ambient light. No significant differences were found for the mean number and duration of fixations irrespective of the stroke outcome and the ball type faced. However, significant differences were obtained when specifically looking at the stroke outcome and the ball type faced. Results suggest that the AOI, upper body, arm/ ball release and pitch are considered as task relevant cues. Information appears to be acquired from the aforementioned AOI in a sequential manner to contribute to successful batting performance. In addition, batsmen should attempt to diminish the number of blinks at the end of trials to contribute towards more successful batting performance.

Background: Very few studies have examined the demands of prolonged batting on physical, psychophysical and performance responses. Objective: The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the physiological and perceptual responses of batsmen scoring a simulated One Day International century. Furthermore, the impact that these responses had on batting performance were also measured. Methods: Seventeen male cricketers currently playing for Rhodes University or the country districts side, performed a simulated bating innings (BATEX©), typical of scoring a One Day international century. The BATEX© protocol consisted of six, five over stages (21 minutes each), with each stage matched to a specific phase of play where batsmen were encouraged to bat with the mindset of that phase. During stages one, three and five players ran at a “self-selected cruise pace” whereas during stages two, four and six players were required to run at maximum speed. At set intervals, selected physiological, perceptual and performance measures were recorded. Results: Most physiological responses increased and decreased accordingly with the low and high intensity stages with the exception of respiratory exchange ratio and core temperature responses. Mean physiological responses however, showed a progressive rise over time. Central ratings of perceived exertion increased as a function of intensity and duration. Sprint times got slower as the protocol progressed, while accuracy (impact accuracy) improved significantly (p<0.05) after stage one and then stabilised for the remainder of the protocol. Conclusion: The simulated batting protocol significantly impacted the physiological and perceptual responses over time. This was due to both the intensity and the duration of the work-bout. Furthermore, the increased physiological load placed on the batsmen significantly impacted the physical performance of the batsmen. An increase in sprint times (players getting slower) towards the end of the protocol may indicate the presence of physical fatigue. This physical fatigue did not however seem to impact the batsmen cognitively as accuracy improved after the first stage and then remained constant over time.