An increasing number of coaches are now advocating the elimination of aerobic training. This recommendation is based on the fact that most coaches believe the sport only involves anaerobic bursts of energy rather than aerobic. Because of this it is believed that you should train the anaerobic system rather than aerobic.
There is much to be said for this logic as most of the training should be directed to anaerobic system improvement. However this does not mean that aerobic training should be ignored. It is well known that baseball requires quick bursts of energy as seen in short dashes to get to the ball, running the bases and quick stops and starts.
What is typically forgotten is that strength is the foundation for development of explosive power and speed.This is especially important for baseball players.
It should also be noted that the anaerobic systems never work solely by themselves; the aerobic system is always functioning simultaneously. When anaerobic (alactic) system training is performed, the aerobic/anaerobic (lactate) and aerobic systems are also functioning. That’s right — all three systems function simultaneously, each one working to enable the other.
You can check this very easily on yourself. When you are running all-out at a heart rate of about 190 to 200 you are taxing the anaerobic system. As you are doing this you will also be taking a quick breaths. This is needed for the aerobic/anaerobic and aerobic systems to keep functioning to enable the anaerobic to continue.
Because of this if you want effective development of any one energy system, you should also have good development of the other systems. This is especially true for aerobic/anaerobic or pure anaerobic system development.
If you do only anaerobic training you will get some aerobic system development but it will be minimal, usually only enough for some recovery. But, the better the functioning of the aerobic system, the quicker can be full recovery of the body after a quick dash or sprint.
Recovery plays an integral role in performance in any game. It is also needed for more effective training of the anaerobic systems. But recovery is an often overlooked factor that plays a critical role during a game or practice. It is responsible for enabling you to continue playing at your best for the entire game.
The bottom line is that you should not completely eliminate aerobic training. Baseball players need aerobic training. The key is to train the aerobic system at the anaerobic threshold. This is most important for baseball players. Aerobic system development at the anaerobic threshold enables you to perform at your highest aerobic level and makes it easier to raise the workout level to tax the anaerobic systems.
In other words, you can tax all three energy systems in one exercise. Most coaches think only in terms of developing one system at a time rather than working on combinations of systems which is what is seen most often in game play.
Thus you should not forgo aerobic training but work it into other energy system development to get the maximum out of all three systems. This will enable you to become the best player is in relation to having the energy to perform at whatever speed or intensity is needed and for as long as it is needed.
For more information see Explosive Running.