Abstract
Objective; To examine two methods for implementing summer off season training programs for college softball players. Design: Non equivalent pre test - post test Setting: On and Off Campus training facilities. Subjects: A non probability convenience sample of 25 subjects was assigned to two groups and one control group. The exclusion criteria were: injury and athletes under the age of eighteen. Interventions: Group W.B. was made up of players who were away from campus during the break; this group participated in a web-based summer off season training program. Group F. F. included the athletes who remained locally or on campus and participated in a more traditional face-to-face summer off season training program. Group 3 were the athletes that participated in the testing, but did not complete the 12 week summer program (Control Group). Main outcome measure: 1 RM bench press and back squat were used to assess muscular strength. The vertical jump, 1 RM hang clean and push press were used to assess power. The one minute sit-ups and push-ups were used to assess muscular endurance. The T -test and 20 yard agility drill measured agility.The 20 and 60 yard sprint were used to measure speed. Flexibility was measured· with the sit and reach. The two-site skin folds were used for body composition. Anaerobic and aerobic capacity was measured with the 300 Yard Shuttle and 1.5 mile run, respectively. The following anthropometry measurements were also taken: weight, height, and resting heart rate. Results: Given the small sample size and large number of variables, the analysis (MANOVA) was not statistically significant. Therefore, descriptive statistics (crosstabs/frequency counts) were analyzed. When comparing the descriptive statistics the hypothesis that there would be a larger increase in the face-to-face group was only supported for the muscular performance tests. Conclusions: The utilization of the internet appeared to be a useful tool in the delivery of summer training programs. Future research should expand this study to larger samples and other sports or a study on delivery methods of home exercise programs.