Distance training, yes or no?

There seems to be some debate on whether or not baseball/softball players should do distance running as part of their training. Some say yes, others say baseball players and softball players do not to distance running in the sport so why do it in training? Some say that distance running has absolutely nothing to do with baseball and softball and is completely unnecessary in a players training.

Here's my stance on this topic - you can agree with it or not, but here's why I feel cardio training is important. Not necessarily distance running, but some kind of cardiovascular training is beneficial to just about any athlete. I know a number of track sprinters who do distance/cardio training at one point or another.

What does cardio exercise do? Why is it important?
Basically cardio is great for both your heart and your lungs. During cardio exercise, your heart is trained to pump more blood in fewer beats. Your heart is trained to become more efficient at it's job. It is trained to accomplish more while working less. In addition your lungs become better at moving more oxygen with less effort. As you may or may not know, blood carries oxygen to your muscles. Your lungs oxygenate blood before it's pumped throughout your body. When your heart and lungs become more efficient at what they do and can better provide oxygen to your muscles, doesn't it make sense that your muscles will perform better longer?

Fatigue and muscle tightness set in when muscles are trying to work without the oxygen they need to perform at their optimal level. If cardio work trains your heart and lungs to become as efficient as possible in providing blood and oxygen to the body, doesn't it make sense that athletes will fatigue less, that their muscles will be able to endure whatever they are trying to do a bit longer? Whether it's running, batting, pitching, fielding, etc - to me it seems that if your heart and lungs become better and better at providing your muscles with oxygen, you will not fatigue as quickly as some other player who's heart and lungs have not been trained and conditioned as yours have been.

So for me, however you get your cardio in, whether it's distance running, riding an exercise biking, jumping on an elliptical machine or what have you, you are not only improving effectiveness of your heart and lungs, but you are also giving yourself a better shot at improved health overall. Cardio is also known to burn fat, rev up your metabolism, reduce stress, and improve your immune system. If you ask me, an athlete that does not have excess fat, is less stressed, and is more resistant to getting sick is "better" than an athlete who does not possess these attributes because they don't make cardio a part of their training routine. That's my two cents.

Note: some softball coaches to incorporate cardio in practice. If there is a drill or exercise in which the players are just about constantly in motion for an extended period of time (at least 12 minutes) - then players are getting a cardio workout there. But not all coaches do this which is why some players utilize distance running, cycling, jumping rope, or aerobics to get the cardio they need.

Technorati Tags: Health, Health and wellness, Sports, softball