Effect of Unilateral and Bilateral Resistance Training on Performance Tests of Collegiate Softball Athletes
Category
Sciences and Technology
Department
Health, Human Performance and Recreation
Student Status
Graduate
Research Advisor
Dr. David Boffey
Document Type
Event
Location
Student Center Ballroom
Start Date
10-4-2025 2:00 PM
End Date
10-4-2025 4:00 PM
Description
Strength and conditioning coaches typically have athletes perform either unilateral (UL) and bilateral (BL) lower body training, based on the perception that UL may be more sport-specific, and may enable lighter loads due to different stability requirements. A randomized controlled design was used to assess the effects of UL (n=6) and BL (n=5) on collegiate DII softball athletes. After three weeks of familiarization training, testing was done pre- and post-8 weeks of the athletes' Fall offseason training program. Performance testing consisted of strength (front squat, hex bar deadlift, front rack split squat, rear foot elevated split squat), change of direction (5-0-5 and 5-10-5), jump testing (vertical and horizontal), balance (modified Star Excursion Balance Test), softball-specific sprints (1st and 2nd - base), body composition (Bioimpedance analysis and Ultrasound), and rating of perceived exertion. A two-way ANOVA was run to determine differences between (group; BL vs. UL) and within (time; pre vs. post) on all variables. There were no significant interactions or group effects on any testing variable other than average weekly training volume (UL 63.6% less than BL). Strength tests, vertical jump and body composition increased similarly over time for both groups. Balance increased for UL only, but an ANCOVA demonstrated no significant group differences after controlling for different baseline values. Based on these results, both types of training may be equally effective, demonstrating a transfer of training effect regardless of modality. In addition, UL training may enable a reduced training volume which may be beneficial to athletes.
Effect of Unilateral and Bilateral Resistance Training on Performance Tests of Collegiate Softball Athletes
Student Center Ballroom
Strength and conditioning coaches typically have athletes perform either unilateral (UL) and bilateral (BL) lower body training, based on the perception that UL may be more sport-specific, and may enable lighter loads due to different stability requirements. A randomized controlled design was used to assess the effects of UL (n=6) and BL (n=5) on collegiate DII softball athletes. After three weeks of familiarization training, testing was done pre- and post-8 weeks of the athletes' Fall offseason training program. Performance testing consisted of strength (front squat, hex bar deadlift, front rack split squat, rear foot elevated split squat), change of direction (5-0-5 and 5-10-5), jump testing (vertical and horizontal), balance (modified Star Excursion Balance Test), softball-specific sprints (1st and 2nd - base), body composition (Bioimpedance analysis and Ultrasound), and rating of perceived exertion. A two-way ANOVA was run to determine differences between (group; BL vs. UL) and within (time; pre vs. post) on all variables. There were no significant interactions or group effects on any testing variable other than average weekly training volume (UL 63.6% less than BL). Strength tests, vertical jump and body composition increased similarly over time for both groups. Balance increased for UL only, but an ANCOVA demonstrated no significant group differences after controlling for different baseline values. Based on these results, both types of training may be equally effective, demonstrating a transfer of training effect regardless of modality. In addition, UL training may enable a reduced training volume which may be beneficial to athletes.
