Experienced Professor and Baseball Sport Scientist with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education and collegiate baseball. Skilled in Sport Performance Training, Testing, and Evaluation as well as Coaching. Excellent leadership and communication (oral and written) skills. Strong business development professional with a PhD focused in Exercise physiology from Auburn University. Phone: 318-257-4432
Journal of strength and conditioning research, Jul 1, 2024
Sakurai, M, Qiao, M, Szymanski, DJ, and Crotin, RL. Countermovement jump and momentum generation ... more Sakurai, M, Qiao, M, Szymanski, DJ, and Crotin, RL. Countermovement jump and momentum generation associations to fastball velocity performance among Division I collegiate pitchers. J Strength Cond Res 38(7): 1288-1294, 2024-The current study explored the relationships between countermovement jump (CMJ) profiles and baseball pitching performance. Nineteen Division I collegiate pitchers performed in-laboratory pitching and bilateral CMJs. Whole-body kinematics and ground reaction force were collected during both pitching and CMJ evaluations. Statistically significant correlations of concentric impulse and peak power in the CMJ test with fastball velocity were observed (r 5 0.71 and 0.68). Concentric impulse in CMJ also showed a statistically significant correlation with linear momentum in the anterior-posterior direction during pitching (r 5 0.68). Lean body mass and body mass showed statistically significant correlations with both of the 2 linear momentums during pitching (r 5 0.71;0.83), and concentric impulse in CMJ (r 5 0.71 and 0.81). Pelvis and trunk pitching mechanics did not correlate with any of the CMJ variables at the statistically significant level, whereas the direction of the correlations varied (|r| , 0.45). Assessment of a baseball pitcher's CMJ should focus on concentric impulse and peak power because only these showed meaningful relationships with fastball velocity or momentum generation during pitching. An increase in lean body mass is also suggested to be able to generate more impulse and momentum. Baseball coaches, strength coaches, and clinicians are encouraged to include lower-body explosive training to enhance the force and power output capacity of baseball pitchers.
Multidirectional ground reaction forces (GRFs) and jump tests within baseball pitchers provide in... more Multidirectional ground reaction forces (GRFs) and jump tests within baseball pitchers provide insight into athletic ability and coordination to produce lower-body force and power. Lowerbody power is a biomechanical feature that denotes physiological capacity through dynamic and passive tissue stretch-shortening in transferring energy from the ground through the kinetic chain. Optimized lower-body power may lessen the magnitude of forces on the upper extremity. Insufficient lower-body power may create a greater risk of upper-body injury. Lower-body power and its relationship to ball velocity have been minimally investigated, yet some research points to a correlation between jumping ability and fastball velocity. Because pitching is unilateral, practitioners should consider unilateral jumps to determine the extent of bilateral asymmetry or stride to drive leg differences that can guide training to remediate deficiencies. The purposes of this brief review are to (a) examine factors that influence vertical jump performance among baseball players, (b) examine research on pitching multidirectional GRFs, and (c) examine literature concerning jump performances to baseball pitching performance. Collectively, this review can assist coaches and practitioners in lower-body power testing and training for baseball pitchers.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Jun 30, 2023
Lis, R, Szymanski, DJ, Qiao, M, and Crotin, RL. An exploratory investigation into the impact of b... more Lis, R, Szymanski, DJ, Qiao, M, and Crotin, RL. An exploratory investigation into the impact of bilateral and unilateral jump characteristics on ground reaction force applications in baseball pitching. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2022—Jump tests are effective, valid, and reliable in examining lower-body power that can influence ground reaction forces (GRFs) in baseball pitching. Relationships between drive and stride leg GRFs and fastball velocities while pitching from the wind-up and stretch were evaluated for performance influences across the following conditions: (a) lower-body GRFs from unilateral countermovement jumps (UCMJ) and bilateral countermovement jumps (BCMJ) and (b) BCMJ and drive and stride leg UCMJ height. Nineteen Division I collegiate baseball pitchers (age; 19.9 ± 1.5 years, height; 1.86 ± 0.06 m, body mass; 90.7 ± 13.8 kg) completed BCMJ and UCMJ tests and threw four-seam fastballs from a pitching mound with 2 embedded force plates. Three moderate associations (r ≥ 0.47) were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for BCMJ and UCMJ heights to pitching GRFs. Stride leg UCMJ height was significantly greater than drive leg UCMJ height, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.34. Wind-up and stretch GRFs were statistically similar. Fastball velocities showed a statistically significant association that was moderately high with wind-up and stretch stride leg anterior-posterior GRFs (r ≥ 0.65, p < 0.01). Collegiate pitchers jumped significantly higher with their stride leg, and the sum of vertical unilateral jump height of both legs was significantly greater (27%) than BCMJ height to indicate greater single-leg dominance in jumping. Although stride leg height was higher, improving stride leg jumping performance may be functionally more important in producing greater momentum into foot strike that has the potential to increase fastball velocity.
Sakurai, M, Qiao, M, Szymanski, DJ, and Crotin, RL. Countermovement jump and momentum generation ... more Sakurai, M, Qiao, M, Szymanski, DJ, and Crotin, RL. Countermovement jump and momentum generation associations to fastball velocity performance among Division I collegiate pitchers. J Strength Cond Res 38(7): 1288-1294, 2024-The current study explored the relationships between countermovement jump (CMJ) profiles and baseball pitching performance. Nineteen Division I collegiate pitchers performed in-laboratory pitching and bilateral CMJs. Whole-body kinematics and ground reaction force were collected during both pitching and CMJ evaluations. Statistically significant correlations of concentric impulse and peak power in the CMJ test with fastball velocity were observed (r 5 0.71 and 0.68). Concentric impulse in CMJ also showed a statistically significant correlation with linear momentum in the anterior-posterior direction during pitching (r 5 0.68). Lean body mass and body mass showed statistically significant correlations with both of the 2 linear momentums during pitching (r 5 0.71;0.83), and concentric impulse in CMJ (r 5 0.71 and 0.81). Pelvis and trunk pitching mechanics did not correlate with any of the CMJ variables at the statistically significant level, whereas the direction of the correlations varied (|r| , 0.45). Assessment of a baseball pitcher's CMJ should focus on concentric impulse and peak power because only these showed meaningful relationships with fastball velocity or momentum generation during pitching. An increase in lean body mass is also suggested to be able to generate more impulse and momentum. Baseball coaches, strength coaches, and clinicians are encouraged to include lower-body explosive training to enhance the force and power output capacity of baseball pitchers.
Multidirectional ground reaction forces (GRFs) and jump tests within baseball pitchers provide in... more Multidirectional ground reaction forces (GRFs) and jump tests within baseball pitchers provide insight into athletic ability and coordination to produce lower-body force and power. Lowerbody power is a biomechanical feature that denotes physiological capacity through dynamic and passive tissue stretch-shortening in transferring energy from the ground through the kinetic chain. Optimized lower-body power may lessen the magnitude of forces on the upper extremity. Insufficient lower-body power may create a greater risk of upper-body injury. Lower-body power and its relationship to ball velocity have been minimally investigated, yet some research points to a correlation between jumping ability and fastball velocity. Because pitching is unilateral, practitioners should consider unilateral jumps to determine the extent of bilateral asymmetry or stride to drive leg differences that can guide training to remediate deficiencies. The purposes of this brief review are to (a) examine factors that influence vertical jump performance among baseball players, (b) examine research on pitching multidirectional GRFs, and (c) examine literature concerning jump performances to baseball pitching performance. Collectively, this review can assist coaches and practitioners in lower-body power testing and training for baseball pitchers.
Crotin, RL, Conforti, CM, Szymanski, DJ, and Oseguera, J. Anthropometric Evaluation of first roun... more Crotin, RL, Conforti, CM, Szymanski, DJ, and Oseguera, J. Anthropometric Evaluation of first round draft selections in Major League Baseball. J Strength Cond Res 37(8): 1609–1615, 2023—Physical stature effects on future Major League Baseball (MLB) performance and player evaluation are not known among amateurs. Amateur athletes with greater stature were expected to perform at a higher MLB level, play first base or catcher, be drafted earlier, begin earlier MLB careers, and receive higher signing bonuses compared with lower stature players. Publicly available high-school amateur data on 319 first round player selections from 2005 to 2015 identified athletes' body mass, heights, and body mass index (BMI) to determine impacts on MLB Wins Above Replacement (WAR) ratings, draft selection number, signing bonuses, position, educational background, innings pitched, and plate appearances before making an MLB debut. Student t tests split sample data above and below the median to examine me...
Sakurai, M, Szymanski, DJ, Qiao, M, and Crotin, RL. Combined countermovement jump testing and mot... more Sakurai, M, Szymanski, DJ, Qiao, M, and Crotin, RL. Combined countermovement jump testing and motion analysis as the future of performance assessment for baseball pitchers: a narrative review. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): 1327–1338, 2023—Whole-body kinematics and kinetics impact pitching performance, and when coordination of momentum transfer is impacted, throwing-related injury risks increase. Although correlations between overhead throwing velocity and lower-body power measured by jump tests have been reported by previous studies, further research is needed to identify these relationships to better understand pitching mechanics and the validity and application of jump tests for the assessment of baseball pitchers. This review communicates effective whole-body pitching mechanics, including throwing arm, trunk, and pelvis, and lower body, as well as discusses the applicability of strength and power field tests to deepen training insights in establishing more efficient motor patterns. ...
目的:本研究目的旨在探討不同肌力水準對後蹲舉「負荷-速度」關係的影響。方法:實驗招募十八名健康男性,取得他們的估測最大肌力值後,分別進行八個不同強度(不同相對最大肌力百分比)的最大努力後蹲舉測試... more 目的:本研究目的旨在探討不同肌力水準對後蹲舉「負荷-速度」關係的影響。方法:實驗招募十八名健康男性,取得他們的估測最大肌力值後,分別進行八個不同強度(不同相對最大肌力百分比)的最大努力後蹲舉測試。受試者依據相對力量比(最大肌力/體重)分為相對強與相對弱兩個類別。以重複測量單因子方法檢驗:強弱兩組別與八種不同相對強度,對於後蹲舉動作中平均向心收縮速度的影響。結果:組內效應達到顯著差異[F(2.973,57.568) = 298.604, p < .001]。然而,與研究假設不同的是,肌力相對弱組,在各不同相對強度的向心收縮速度上,皆較肌力相對強組為高。在組間差異(平均向心收縮速度),則未達統計上顯著[F(1,16) = 3.212, p = .092]。結論:本研究結果雖然顯示平均向心速度在肌力相對強弱兩個類別中不存在顯著差異,肌力體能專家仍應注意,在不同肌力水準的族群中,後蹲舉的速度表現特徵上,可能會存在個體間差異。為了獲得體能提升等相關訊息,在執行以速度參數作為觀察工具的訓練課表中,週期性的檢測與監控運動員是必要的。
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 2021
As physical fitness has become more of a central component of competitive golf it is important to... more As physical fitness has become more of a central component of competitive golf it is important to have an understanding of the relationship between anthropometric and physical performance on actual golf performance. Thus the purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between measures of anthropometrics and physical performance to golf swing performance. METHODS Fourteen Division I collegiate golfers performed a battery of tests including the vertical jump, grip strength, rotational medicine ball toss, and sit and reach test in addition to anthropometric measure measurements. Golf specific variables included clubhead speed (CHS), ball velocity (BV) and carry distance (CD) using the participants own driver. Pearson product moment correlations were used to assess the level of relationship between all variables. RESULTS Statistically significant large positive relationships were found between grip strength and all golf specific variables. Height also showed large significant positive relationship with both CHS and BV. CONCLUSIONS The association between anthropometrics and physical performance and golf specific variables appear to be limited in a group of collegiate male golfers, outside of grip strength. This does not mean however that physical fitness is irrelevant to golf performance but caution should be taken in assuming increase in physical performance will have a direct impact on the golf specific variables.
Journal of strength and conditioning research, Jul 1, 2024
Sakurai, M, Qiao, M, Szymanski, DJ, and Crotin, RL. Countermovement jump and momentum generation ... more Sakurai, M, Qiao, M, Szymanski, DJ, and Crotin, RL. Countermovement jump and momentum generation associations to fastball velocity performance among Division I collegiate pitchers. J Strength Cond Res 38(7): 1288-1294, 2024-The current study explored the relationships between countermovement jump (CMJ) profiles and baseball pitching performance. Nineteen Division I collegiate pitchers performed in-laboratory pitching and bilateral CMJs. Whole-body kinematics and ground reaction force were collected during both pitching and CMJ evaluations. Statistically significant correlations of concentric impulse and peak power in the CMJ test with fastball velocity were observed (r 5 0.71 and 0.68). Concentric impulse in CMJ also showed a statistically significant correlation with linear momentum in the anterior-posterior direction during pitching (r 5 0.68). Lean body mass and body mass showed statistically significant correlations with both of the 2 linear momentums during pitching (r 5 0.71;0.83), and concentric impulse in CMJ (r 5 0.71 and 0.81). Pelvis and trunk pitching mechanics did not correlate with any of the CMJ variables at the statistically significant level, whereas the direction of the correlations varied (|r| , 0.45). Assessment of a baseball pitcher's CMJ should focus on concentric impulse and peak power because only these showed meaningful relationships with fastball velocity or momentum generation during pitching. An increase in lean body mass is also suggested to be able to generate more impulse and momentum. Baseball coaches, strength coaches, and clinicians are encouraged to include lower-body explosive training to enhance the force and power output capacity of baseball pitchers.
Multidirectional ground reaction forces (GRFs) and jump tests within baseball pitchers provide in... more Multidirectional ground reaction forces (GRFs) and jump tests within baseball pitchers provide insight into athletic ability and coordination to produce lower-body force and power. Lowerbody power is a biomechanical feature that denotes physiological capacity through dynamic and passive tissue stretch-shortening in transferring energy from the ground through the kinetic chain. Optimized lower-body power may lessen the magnitude of forces on the upper extremity. Insufficient lower-body power may create a greater risk of upper-body injury. Lower-body power and its relationship to ball velocity have been minimally investigated, yet some research points to a correlation between jumping ability and fastball velocity. Because pitching is unilateral, practitioners should consider unilateral jumps to determine the extent of bilateral asymmetry or stride to drive leg differences that can guide training to remediate deficiencies. The purposes of this brief review are to (a) examine factors that influence vertical jump performance among baseball players, (b) examine research on pitching multidirectional GRFs, and (c) examine literature concerning jump performances to baseball pitching performance. Collectively, this review can assist coaches and practitioners in lower-body power testing and training for baseball pitchers.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Jun 30, 2023
Lis, R, Szymanski, DJ, Qiao, M, and Crotin, RL. An exploratory investigation into the impact of b... more Lis, R, Szymanski, DJ, Qiao, M, and Crotin, RL. An exploratory investigation into the impact of bilateral and unilateral jump characteristics on ground reaction force applications in baseball pitching. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2022—Jump tests are effective, valid, and reliable in examining lower-body power that can influence ground reaction forces (GRFs) in baseball pitching. Relationships between drive and stride leg GRFs and fastball velocities while pitching from the wind-up and stretch were evaluated for performance influences across the following conditions: (a) lower-body GRFs from unilateral countermovement jumps (UCMJ) and bilateral countermovement jumps (BCMJ) and (b) BCMJ and drive and stride leg UCMJ height. Nineteen Division I collegiate baseball pitchers (age; 19.9 ± 1.5 years, height; 1.86 ± 0.06 m, body mass; 90.7 ± 13.8 kg) completed BCMJ and UCMJ tests and threw four-seam fastballs from a pitching mound with 2 embedded force plates. Three moderate associations (r ≥ 0.47) were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for BCMJ and UCMJ heights to pitching GRFs. Stride leg UCMJ height was significantly greater than drive leg UCMJ height, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.34. Wind-up and stretch GRFs were statistically similar. Fastball velocities showed a statistically significant association that was moderately high with wind-up and stretch stride leg anterior-posterior GRFs (r ≥ 0.65, p < 0.01). Collegiate pitchers jumped significantly higher with their stride leg, and the sum of vertical unilateral jump height of both legs was significantly greater (27%) than BCMJ height to indicate greater single-leg dominance in jumping. Although stride leg height was higher, improving stride leg jumping performance may be functionally more important in producing greater momentum into foot strike that has the potential to increase fastball velocity.
Sakurai, M, Qiao, M, Szymanski, DJ, and Crotin, RL. Countermovement jump and momentum generation ... more Sakurai, M, Qiao, M, Szymanski, DJ, and Crotin, RL. Countermovement jump and momentum generation associations to fastball velocity performance among Division I collegiate pitchers. J Strength Cond Res 38(7): 1288-1294, 2024-The current study explored the relationships between countermovement jump (CMJ) profiles and baseball pitching performance. Nineteen Division I collegiate pitchers performed in-laboratory pitching and bilateral CMJs. Whole-body kinematics and ground reaction force were collected during both pitching and CMJ evaluations. Statistically significant correlations of concentric impulse and peak power in the CMJ test with fastball velocity were observed (r 5 0.71 and 0.68). Concentric impulse in CMJ also showed a statistically significant correlation with linear momentum in the anterior-posterior direction during pitching (r 5 0.68). Lean body mass and body mass showed statistically significant correlations with both of the 2 linear momentums during pitching (r 5 0.71;0.83), and concentric impulse in CMJ (r 5 0.71 and 0.81). Pelvis and trunk pitching mechanics did not correlate with any of the CMJ variables at the statistically significant level, whereas the direction of the correlations varied (|r| , 0.45). Assessment of a baseball pitcher's CMJ should focus on concentric impulse and peak power because only these showed meaningful relationships with fastball velocity or momentum generation during pitching. An increase in lean body mass is also suggested to be able to generate more impulse and momentum. Baseball coaches, strength coaches, and clinicians are encouraged to include lower-body explosive training to enhance the force and power output capacity of baseball pitchers.
Multidirectional ground reaction forces (GRFs) and jump tests within baseball pitchers provide in... more Multidirectional ground reaction forces (GRFs) and jump tests within baseball pitchers provide insight into athletic ability and coordination to produce lower-body force and power. Lowerbody power is a biomechanical feature that denotes physiological capacity through dynamic and passive tissue stretch-shortening in transferring energy from the ground through the kinetic chain. Optimized lower-body power may lessen the magnitude of forces on the upper extremity. Insufficient lower-body power may create a greater risk of upper-body injury. Lower-body power and its relationship to ball velocity have been minimally investigated, yet some research points to a correlation between jumping ability and fastball velocity. Because pitching is unilateral, practitioners should consider unilateral jumps to determine the extent of bilateral asymmetry or stride to drive leg differences that can guide training to remediate deficiencies. The purposes of this brief review are to (a) examine factors that influence vertical jump performance among baseball players, (b) examine research on pitching multidirectional GRFs, and (c) examine literature concerning jump performances to baseball pitching performance. Collectively, this review can assist coaches and practitioners in lower-body power testing and training for baseball pitchers.
Crotin, RL, Conforti, CM, Szymanski, DJ, and Oseguera, J. Anthropometric Evaluation of first roun... more Crotin, RL, Conforti, CM, Szymanski, DJ, and Oseguera, J. Anthropometric Evaluation of first round draft selections in Major League Baseball. J Strength Cond Res 37(8): 1609–1615, 2023—Physical stature effects on future Major League Baseball (MLB) performance and player evaluation are not known among amateurs. Amateur athletes with greater stature were expected to perform at a higher MLB level, play first base or catcher, be drafted earlier, begin earlier MLB careers, and receive higher signing bonuses compared with lower stature players. Publicly available high-school amateur data on 319 first round player selections from 2005 to 2015 identified athletes' body mass, heights, and body mass index (BMI) to determine impacts on MLB Wins Above Replacement (WAR) ratings, draft selection number, signing bonuses, position, educational background, innings pitched, and plate appearances before making an MLB debut. Student t tests split sample data above and below the median to examine me...
Sakurai, M, Szymanski, DJ, Qiao, M, and Crotin, RL. Combined countermovement jump testing and mot... more Sakurai, M, Szymanski, DJ, Qiao, M, and Crotin, RL. Combined countermovement jump testing and motion analysis as the future of performance assessment for baseball pitchers: a narrative review. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): 1327–1338, 2023—Whole-body kinematics and kinetics impact pitching performance, and when coordination of momentum transfer is impacted, throwing-related injury risks increase. Although correlations between overhead throwing velocity and lower-body power measured by jump tests have been reported by previous studies, further research is needed to identify these relationships to better understand pitching mechanics and the validity and application of jump tests for the assessment of baseball pitchers. This review communicates effective whole-body pitching mechanics, including throwing arm, trunk, and pelvis, and lower body, as well as discusses the applicability of strength and power field tests to deepen training insights in establishing more efficient motor patterns. ...
目的:本研究目的旨在探討不同肌力水準對後蹲舉「負荷-速度」關係的影響。方法:實驗招募十八名健康男性,取得他們的估測最大肌力值後,分別進行八個不同強度(不同相對最大肌力百分比)的最大努力後蹲舉測試... more 目的:本研究目的旨在探討不同肌力水準對後蹲舉「負荷-速度」關係的影響。方法:實驗招募十八名健康男性,取得他們的估測最大肌力值後,分別進行八個不同強度(不同相對最大肌力百分比)的最大努力後蹲舉測試。受試者依據相對力量比(最大肌力/體重)分為相對強與相對弱兩個類別。以重複測量單因子方法檢驗:強弱兩組別與八種不同相對強度,對於後蹲舉動作中平均向心收縮速度的影響。結果:組內效應達到顯著差異[F(2.973,57.568) = 298.604, p < .001]。然而,與研究假設不同的是,肌力相對弱組,在各不同相對強度的向心收縮速度上,皆較肌力相對強組為高。在組間差異(平均向心收縮速度),則未達統計上顯著[F(1,16) = 3.212, p = .092]。結論:本研究結果雖然顯示平均向心速度在肌力相對強弱兩個類別中不存在顯著差異,肌力體能專家仍應注意,在不同肌力水準的族群中,後蹲舉的速度表現特徵上,可能會存在個體間差異。為了獲得體能提升等相關訊息,在執行以速度參數作為觀察工具的訓練課表中,週期性的檢測與監控運動員是必要的。
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 2021
As physical fitness has become more of a central component of competitive golf it is important to... more As physical fitness has become more of a central component of competitive golf it is important to have an understanding of the relationship between anthropometric and physical performance on actual golf performance. Thus the purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between measures of anthropometrics and physical performance to golf swing performance. METHODS Fourteen Division I collegiate golfers performed a battery of tests including the vertical jump, grip strength, rotational medicine ball toss, and sit and reach test in addition to anthropometric measure measurements. Golf specific variables included clubhead speed (CHS), ball velocity (BV) and carry distance (CD) using the participants own driver. Pearson product moment correlations were used to assess the level of relationship between all variables. RESULTS Statistically significant large positive relationships were found between grip strength and all golf specific variables. Height also showed large significant positive relationship with both CHS and BV. CONCLUSIONS The association between anthropometrics and physical performance and golf specific variables appear to be limited in a group of collegiate male golfers, outside of grip strength. This does not mean however that physical fitness is irrelevant to golf performance but caution should be taken in assuming increase in physical performance will have a direct impact on the golf specific variables.
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