Effects of Swiss ball exercise and Pilates exercise on core muscle strengthening in college cricketers

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Cricket is one of the most popular game in India played by men and women of all ages. Core stability is defined as the ability to control the position and movement of the trunk over the pelvis to allow optimum production, transfer and control of force and movement to the terminal segment. Major muscles involved are pelvic floor muscles, Transverse abdominis, multifidus, internal and external obliques, and rectus abdominis. Core is used to stabilize the thorax and the pelvis during dynamic movement. The study helps to compare the effectiveness of Swiss ball exercise and Pilates exercise on gaining core muscle strength. The aim of the study is to compare the effect of Swiss ball exercise and Pilates exercise on core muscle strengthening in college cricketers.
 Materials and Methods: The design of the study is comparative type. The study was carried out in faculty of Physiotherapy, Dr.M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute. The study sample of 30 male college cricketers between the age group of 18 to 25 years are included in the study. Individuals with associated neuromuscular conditions, any injuries to lower limbs and any spinal injuries have been excluded in the study. Swiss ball and Pilates mat are the materials used. Sphygmomanometer is the outcome measure.30 male individuals between the age group of 18 to 25 years were divided into two groups, group A and group B. Individuals in the group A (n=15) received the Swiss ball exercise and group B (n=15) received Pilates exercise for 4 session/ week for 6 weeks.
 Results: On comparing the mean values of group A and group B on double leg lowering test (DLLT), it shows significant decrease in the post test mean values but (group B- Pilates exercise) shows (30.60) which has the lower mean value is more effective than (group A- Swiss ball exercise) (46.80) at P ? 0.001. Hence, null hypothesis is rejected.
 Conclusion: The study concluded that both the group was effective but while comparing Pilates exercise showed the potential treatment option than swiss ball exercise. Hence, Pilates exercise was effective on core muscle strengthening in college cricketers.
 Keywords: Swiss ball; Pilates mat; core muscle; sphygmomanometer.

Effect of Swiss Ball and Thera Band Exercises on Muscle Endurance in Healthy Individuals in the Age Group of 18-25 Years

“…Performing strength exercises on Swiss ball has been pushed on the conviction that a labile surface will give a greater challenge to trunk musculature, increment the dynamic balance and potentially trains to balance out their spine to prevent and treat injury 7 . Kamatchi K (2020) suggested that the majority of the research work done on abdominal muscle exercise were comparing them with traditional mat exercises, and the benefits of Swiss ball exercise appear to have been applied to whole body exercise equally 15 . Swiss ball is a type of therapeutic tool, which is used to improve the muscle tone, balance, control, structure and coordination of the movement achieving a greater activation of musculature 15 .…”

Effects of Pilate Training on Physical Performance of Cricketers

“…(Table 1) The results of this study are in accordance to the previous study in which Pilates improved core strength and enhance the physical performance of cricketers. 1 And the good core strength improved agility and speed in athlete. 16 In another study significant improvement was observed in agility and speed of running in male cricket players which is in coherence with the results of recent study in which agility and ground fielding improved significantly.…”

“…In order to avoid such complications, athlete must have strong core musculature, and endurance. 1,4,5 The core contains the muscles of pelvis and trunk which provides stability. 6 Thus strengthening of core musculature is important to avoid injuries in cricketers.…”

“…Core weakness leads to incorrect movement pattern and less force production during the game. 1,6 Hibbs et al discussed that for sport performance athletes must have good core strength and for this purpose rehabilitation programs should be designed to enhance the function and performance.…”

“…Also, it improves breathing, coordination, balance and strengthens the core muscles. 1 Pilates trainings progresses with the 5 basics such as breathing, cervical alignment, rib and scapular stabilization, pelvic mobility and utilizing the transverses abdominis. 11 The Pilates Technique is comprised of a group of functional movements, using the individual's own body weight and later prolonged with the assistance of some equipment.…”