Shoulder joint acceleration and power output in cricket bowlers

Abstract

In this study twenty-six aspirant cricket fast-bowlers were tested and a battery of basic physical tests consisting of eleven variables was conducted after an eight-week training period. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a sport-specific strength-training program to increase bowling speed performance of fast-bowlers. Electronic Development House-Speedster (velocity-sensing instrument) was used. The players were divided into two groups, the experimental group, who performed specific upper-body exercises with maximum concentric acceleration, and the control group who applied conventional strength training with no attempt to accelerate. Results indicated that the experimental group had six variables that had significant correlation with bowling speed, bench press (p < 0.03), pull-over (p <0.032), medicine ball putt (p < 0.011), shoulder flexion-torque acceleration energy (p< 0.009), shoulder extension-torque acceleration energy (p < 0.0001) and cricket ball throw (p< 0.011) and the control group only one, shoulder extension-peak torque (p< 0.019). Furthermore results observed by method of regression, indicated a definite improvement in the medicine ball putt, cricket ball throw and bowling speed for the experimental group. Control group was somewhat low. It can be concluded that sport-specific strength training with maximum concentric acceleration with upper-body strength training probably causes an accelerated improvement in bowling speed.

Key words: Bowling-speed; fast-bowlers; concentric-acceleration; strength-training; performance.

AJPHERD Vol.11(2) 2005: 149-162