1. The Physiology of Softball/Baseball
Megan M. Kiefer
ESS 110
Introduction to Coaching
April 15, 2009

2. Energy and Muscular Demands
Energy Fitness
Muscular Fitness
Aerobic
Anaerobic
Flexibility
Strength
Endurance
Speed
Power
ASEP
Hitting & Fielding L
M-H M
L-M H
Baserunning
Pitching Me

3. Research says…
ATP-PC: Essential for most common actions in the sport including sprinting, hitting, and fielding. Players uses this system about 80% of time during performance
Glycolytic: Used when a player is required to run multiple bases, possibly less in softball than baseball since bases are shorter distances. Still anaerobic and necessary for the athlete, but less is required of this system than the ATP-PC
Aerobic: Rarely used due to ability to rest/recover between actions. Training in this area is not as essential

4. Conclusions Research is consistent with ASEP model/my estimations
Training should put emphasis on anaerobic systems, particularly ATP-PC
Less focus on aerobic systems

5. References
Chapter 28: Baseball. (1997, January). Cross-Training for Sports
Coleman, Eugene. "Running Speeds of Major League Baseball Players." Journal of Exercise Physiology 8(2005).
Ko, B., & Kim, J. (2005, June). Physical Fitness Profiles of Elite Ball Game Athletes. International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 17(1),
Martens, R (2004). Successful Coaching. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers.
Perelli, D. (1996, August). The relationship between pitching velocity and anaerobic power - literature review. Strength & Conditioning, 18(4),
Potteiger, J., Williford, H., Blessing, D., & Smidt, J. (1992, February). Effect of two training methods on improving baseball performance variables. Journal of Applied Sport Science Research, 6(1), 2-6.
Wilmore, J et al (2008). Physiology of Sport and Exercise.
York, H. (1995). Contributions of anticipation timing and anaerobic power to batting performance in slow pitch softball. .