Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing Improves Softball Launch Angle Consistency: A Double-Blind Crossover Study

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Human Performance
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Carbohydrate mouth rinsing (CMR) is known to stimulate the central nervous system and enhance motor control.
• Previous research has not investigated the impact of CMR on softball batting performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effect of carbohydrate mouth rinsing (CMR) on softball batting performance in trained female collegiate athletes.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen trained female collegiate softball players participated in a randomized crossover trial.
• Participants rinsed their mouths with either a 6.4% maltodextrin solution (CMR) or a placebo.
• Batting performance was assessed by measuring exit velocity and launch angle consistency.

Main Results:

• Carbohydrate mouth rinsing (CMR) significantly improved launch angle consistency compared to the placebo (p = 0.025; Cohen's d = 0.69).
• No significant differences were observed in Posner cueing task, grip strength, counter-movement jump, or exit velocity between CMR and placebo trials.

Conclusions:

• Carbohydrate mouth rinsing (CMR) enhances the consistency of launch angle during all-out-effort softball batting.
• CMR does not appear to influence the exit velocity of softball hits.