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KNEE RANGE OF MOTION AND RUNNING SPEED IN COLLEGIATE SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL ATHLETES

Abstract

Knee joint range of motion (ROM) can affect activities of daily living and sports performance. Limited knee joint ROM can result in injuries because the body compensates, leading to increased stress on muscles and joints. The purpose of this study was to determine if a significant relationship between the athlete's sprint speed and knee ROM exists. Participants included 15 baseball and 15 softball collegiate athletes. A manual goniometer was utilized to test the knee’s ROM in flexion, and a 40-m sprint time was performed to measure running speed. A Pearson r-test was used to determine if a significant relationship between knee angles and running speed exists. No statistical significance or strong correlation was found for right knee joint angle (p=.33, r=.26) or left knee joint angle (p=.28, r=.29) and 40-meter sprint speed in softball players. Conversely, a Pearson’s R test indicated a statistical significance, and a moderate correlation was found for both the right knee joint angle (p = .04, r = .52) and left knee joint angle (p = .04, r = .52) and 40-meter spring speed in baseball players. Therefore, regarding softball players, the null hypothesis was accepted, indicating no significant association exists between knee ROM and running speed. However, in baseball players, a significant association does exist between knee joint ROM and sprint speed. Results indicate that knee ROM has no significance in determining the running speed in softball collegiate athletes. However, knee ROM has a positive relationship with running speed in baseball collegiate athletes, indicating the greater knee ROM, the faster the individual can sprint. The result provides significant insight into flexibility training's importance in the two sports and increased performance.

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