Batting is known to be one of the most complex motions in sports. Successful hitting may be influenced by many factors, one of which is response time (RT). Response time is known to be altered by various training techniques such as isokinetic and isometric weight training. Eighteen, right-handed female college softball players were measured for RT with three methods, experimental in design, using an Automatic Performance Analyzer.In addition, hitting performance was determined through film analysis of bat velocity while swinging at a ball delivered from a pitching machine. A Locam camera was used for the cinematography techniques.From this initial testing, three equivalent groups were formed. One group served as a control, while the other two groups performed two contrasting seven week isotonic training programs: 1) a rapid dynamic (RD) group performed many, quick light weight activities; while, 2) the slow exercises. The rapid dynamic group had their exercises triggered by an auditory stimulus. Following the seven week training program, RT and batting performance were again determined. Pre- and post-training response times were analyzed using an analysis of variance and covariance with p=0.05.The results of the RT post-test analysis indicated that response times were not significantly decreased for any of the tests. Film analysis was inadequate to make any conclusive judgments on bat velocity.The following conclusion is warranted from the results: isotonic weight training did not significantly decrease response time for either the slow dynamic or rapid dynamic group.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--Temple University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-146).

Thesis (M. Ed.)--Temple University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-146). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.), Wellness Management--University of Central Oklahoma, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 45-49).

There is no abstract available for this thesis. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Thesis (M.S.)--2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-33). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-33).

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Magister Legum - LLM / An understanding of the structure, function and performance relationships in different sports, including softball, allows for improved coaching approaches, development of sport specific fitness and skills training programmes, team selections and talent identification in young players. Despite the fact that fast pitch softball is an established sport with a long history, it has received little scientific attention. It does for example, not have a specific battery of softball specific fitness tests and relies on the tests and norms of baseball. The specific morphological and fitness demands of the sport are therefore not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to establish whether morphological and fitness characteristics are related to skill and performance measures in men's fast pitch softball players and to determine what the strengths of any such relationships are. The sample was purposively selected and consisted of 15 Provincial and 15 club male fast pitch softball players. All participants were members of the provincial Softball Federation. Anthropometric, fitness and skills test and measurements were conducted at the training sites over a number of weeks because it coincided with team training. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, skinfolds, and were done in accordance with ISAK specifications. Derived anthropometric variables included BMI and body fat percentage. The following physical fitness tests were conducted: vertical jump test, standing broad jump and the Illinois agility run while the skills tests conducted were the softball throw for distance, the two base sprint test, the batting tests and the fielding test. Match statistics were easier to obtain since records were available in printed form from the Provincial softball federation for the Provincial players and from the club for its members. The data obtained were analysed and interpreted both collectively as a group of thirty and then separately as provincial and club teams for the purpose of comparison. Since the data were not normally distributed, the Spearman's rank Correlation was used to test for associations between variables. Comparisons of the squads were done using the nonparametric Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. The results of the study identified a number of strong significant relationships between the different variables tested. Height and percent body fat, amongst others were found to be the two anthropometric variables which significantly interacted with two key performance areas of fast pitch softball i.e. batting and fielding. Percent body fat also negatively correlated with the vertical jump test which highlights the general negative impact of excess fat on performance. The relationships established in this research strongly suggest that coaches include fitness, morphological and skills tests in their coaching and fitness programmes and they should further be used in team selections processes as they are strong indicators for success and will make the selection process more objective.