Faster, Better, Stronger: Why Measurements Matter in Youth Sports

No one doubts the need for performance measurement in professional sports. Large research labs such as the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, and technology developers like DARI Motion, are changing the way we look at athletic performance.

However, measurement needs to begin long before the professional level in a baseball or softball player's life. Young athletes benefit from performance measurement in ways that can launch their competitive careers while protecting them physically.

Competition

Winning isn't everything, but no team enjoys losing, and players must be in prime shape to play for a top rated team. As young players approach high school, they must excel in order to make the team and then to get playing time. Some highly competitive high schools only take pitchers who throw at 83 mph or above. They also have high expectations for batting average and fielding.

Technological advances make it possible for young players to measure their own progress. Simple "wearable" fitness trackers allow athletes to measure their distance, speed and heart rate during workouts. They can also download apps that measure their pitch velocity and bat speed and power. Players can constantly measure their own progress and work to improve.

Young athletes also need to know how they compare to their peers, particularly if they are serious about their sports. Coaches and scouts definitely need this information in order to correctly access the individual's talent.

Safety

Performance measurement also prevents injury. Technology and metrics identify individual strengths and weaknesses, allowing athletes to work on their technique and their physical fitness. A young pitcher who doesn't understand their weaknesses is in danger of ruining their arm.

Athletes who do not have a well-developed core are prone to injury. They also will not have the strength to properly swing the bat or throw the ball. According to experts, those with a weak core are more likely to suffer muscle strains and even stress fractures.

SwingFitt™

At SwingFitt™, we provide unique, rotational training, that allows young baseball and softball players to build their strength and power while reducing injuries. Once only available to professional athletes, our program quickly and safely improves athletic performance during fun and challenging workouts. Toby Hall, a former Major League Baseball player, worked with us to develop our program, and the result is a fun, dynamic workout that helps players perform better in all aspects of their game.

In addition, SwingFitt™ athletes can receive pro-level physical analytics from DARI, full body scans and reporting, to assess their injury risk and overall performance on the musculoskeletal level. With these patent-pending analytics, our program brings professional-level training to developing ballplayers.

All in all, performance measurements help players stay healthy and competitive. They are used to compare players to each other, but, more importantly, they help each athlete reach their own potential.

Melissa Pranzo is the Founder of SwingFitt™ and Swing4All.org. She is a certified RMT trainer, a life-long elite athlete, and lover of life and sports. Melissa and her son, Cooper, live in Tampa where SwingFitt™ and Swing4All.org are based.

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