Sport and Exercise Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.
J Strength Cond Res. 2013 Feb;27(2):375-81. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31825753cb.
The purpose of this study was to investigate age-related changes in anthropometric and performance variables in professional baseball players. Baseball players (n = 1,157) from several professional baseball organizations were categorized into 7 cohorts based upon age. All adolescent athletes were categorized as age group 1 (AG1), whereas the next 5 groups (AG2-AG6) consisted of players 20-22, 23-25, 26-28, 29-31, and 31-34 years, respectively. The final group (AG7) comprised athletes ≥35 years. All performance assessments were part of the athlete's normal preseason training camp testing routine. Field assessments were used to analyze lower-body power, speed, agility, grip strength, and body composition. The players were heaviest between the ages of 29 and 31 (AG5), and their body mass in that age group was 10.1% (p = 0.004) greater than that of AG1. A 7.0% increase (p = 0.000) in lean body mass occurred between AG1 and AG5. No differences in 10-yd sprint times or agility were seen across any age group or position. A 2.0 seconds (p = 0.001) slower run time for the 300-yd shuttle was seen between AG4 and AG5 for all positions combined. Elevations in grip strength were seen at AG4 compared with AG1 (p = 0.001) and AG2 (p = 0.007) for all positions combined. No other differences were noted. Lower-body power was increased for all positions combined from AG1 to AG3 (p = 0.007). This pattern was similar to that observed in position players, but a 12.4% decrease (p = 0.024) in VJMP was seen between AG7 and AG5 in pitchers. Results of this study indicate that lower-body power is maintained in baseball players until the age of 29-31, whereas speed, agility, and grip strength are maintained in players able to play past the age of 35 years. Age-related differences observed in this study suggest that athletes focus on their strength and conditioning programs to extend the length of their professional careers.
本研究的目的是探究职业棒球运动员在人体测量和表现变量方面的年龄相关性变化。根据年龄，将来自几个职业棒球队的棒球运动员（n = 1,157）分为 7 个队列。所有青少年运动员都被归类为年龄组 1（AG1），而接下来的 5 个组（AG2-AG6）分别由 20-22、23-25、26-28、29-31 和 31-34 岁的球员组成。最后一组（AG7）由≥35 岁的运动员组成。所有的表现评估都是运动员正常季前训练营测试常规的一部分。场内评估用于分析下半身力量、速度、敏捷性、握力和身体成分。运动员的体重在 29-31 岁时最重（AG5），他们在该年龄组的体重比 AG1 组高 10.1%（p = 0.004）。AG1 到 AG5 之间，瘦体重增加了 7.0%（p = 0.000）。在任何年龄组或位置，10 码冲刺时间或敏捷性都没有差异。所有位置的 300 码穿梭跑的用时都延长了 2.0 秒（p = 0.001），从 AG4 到 AG5。所有位置的握力都在 AG4 时比 AG1（p = 0.001）和 AG2（p = 0.007）更高。没有发现其他差异。所有位置的下半身力量从 AG1 到 AG3 都有所增加（p = 0.007）。这种模式与位置球员相似，但投手的 VJMP 在 AG7 和 AG5 之间下降了 12.4%（p = 0.024）。本研究的结果表明，在 29-31 岁之前，下半身力量在棒球运动员中保持不变，而速度、敏捷性和握力在能够超过 35 岁的运动员中保持不变。本研究中观察到的与年龄相关的差异表明，运动员应注重他们的力量和体能训练计划，以延长他们的职业寿命。
