Author(s): CHENG, Y., HSIEH, T.Y., Institution: FU JEN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY, Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 889

INTRODUCTION:
Traditional theory proposes that baseball batting, due to strict temporal constraints and the brief duration of the action, operates as an open-loop, preprogrammed movement. From this perspective, batters rely on situational probabilities and predictive cues to anticipate pitch location and select a pre-memorized motor program to execute a hit; consequently, training often emphasizes tee-based practice. In contrast, the constraints-led approach (CLA), informed by a complex systems perspective, emphasizes perceptual–motor exploration as a central mechanism for the acquisition of individualized, adaptive, and adaptable movement patterns. The present study compared classical practice and the CLA approach to examine differences in learning outcomes in novice baseball batters.
METHODS:
Eight healthy adults with no baseball batting training experience were randomly assigned to two groups (classical practice group and the CLA group). The classical practice group performed 30 tee bats per training session, while the CLA group performed 30 bats under simulated real-game conditions. Performance was evaluated before and after 12 sessions with a 10-hit tee test into a 250 m net. A retention test was conducted five days later, and then subjective movement evaluations were performed by one professional baseball coach. Mixed-design ANOVAs were used to examine the effects of the interventions and tests
RESULTS:
Both training groups demonstrated significant improvements in batting performance following the intervention. For bat speed and exit velocity, participants in both the classical practice and CLA groups exhibited significantly higher values at post-test and retention compared with pre-test (ps < .05). Subjective movement ratings also reached a significant level for both interventions (p < .05). Post hoc analyses indicated that post-test and retention scores were higher than pre-test scores in both groups, with the CLA group showing significantly higher ratings than the classical group at retention (ps < .05). These findings suggest that both training paradigms effectively enhance key performance metrics, with learning effects maintained over time.
CONCLUSION:
Both classical tee practice and CLA training improved novice batting performance. However, practice in dynamic, game-representative environments produced comparable performances while promoting greater transfer to classical tee practice. These results support the effectiveness of the CLA for skill acquisition and highlight the value of constraint-led, game-representative practice in novice batting.
REFERENCE:
1) Deuker et al., Int J Sports Sci Coach, 2024
2) Gray, Psychol Sport Exerc, 2020
3) Gray & Sullivan, Routledge, 2023