Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing and Softball Batting Performance

Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing and Softball Batting Performance: a Double-blind Crossover Study

Participants rinsed their mouths for 20 seconds with 25 ml of either 6.4% maltodextrin (CMR) or placebo (PLA). After rinsing, the grip force, counter-movement jump (CMJ) and batting tests were performed in sequence.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CMR on softball batting performance. Fourteen trained collegiate female softball players completed two trials in a randomization crossover trail, in which they rinsed their mouths for 20 seconds with 25 ml of either 6.4% maltodextrin (CMR) or placebo (PLA). After rinsing, the grip force, counter-movement jump (CMJ) and batting tests were performed in sequence. The tanner tee was utilised to perform five sets of five balls at a time, with a minimum of 3 minutes rest between sets. The batting test recorded average exit velocity, maximum exit velocity and batting accuracy. The standardized standard deviation (SD) for launch angle represents standardized variability.

Inclusion Criteria:

• more than 6 years of professional fast-pitch softball training
• more than 6 months of continuous training
• from at least the top four teams in the country

Exclusion Criteria:

• non-professionally fast-pitch softball training
• lack of regular training in the past 6 months
• in the event that the applicant has sustained a sports injury or is currently experiencing epilepsy, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, or a brain injury, and has yet to undergo a period of recuperation exceeding three months