The Effects of Cryotherapy on the Velocity of a Pitched Baseball

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a cold water application of 35 ° to 40°F, between innings, and its effect on the pitching arm through the course of a designated series of throws. Eight male students from the basic physical education classes at South Dakota State University participated in the study conducted over a period of three weeks. All of the individuals involved were administered each of three selected treatments. The data in this study were analyzed in three ways. A t ratio was used to interpret the changes in the average velocity of the pitched ball in the first two innings as compared with the changes in average velocity for the last two innings of a nine inning game. The average changes in velocity over the full nine innings were also computed for each group. Each of the three treatments was administered to all groups and the results were compared to find the average velocity for all inning. If an F ratio was found to be significant, the Duncan\u27s Multiple-Range test was used to determine where the significant difference occurred. As a result of the statistical analysis of the data obtained, the investigator found that the cold water treatment between innings caused a significant decrease in the velocity of the pitched baseball as determined by tests conducted after innings one and two, and after innings eight and nine