Sprint acceleration mechanical profiling of international cricketers

Abstract

Sprinting and speed is a fundamental skill and physical attribute crucial in seam bowlers and batters within cricket. The aim of this study was to assess differences in mechanical properties during sprinting between youth and senior international cricketers and between seam bowlers and batters. Retrospective 40 m sprint times and anthropometric measures of 56 international cricketers (19 senior seam bowlers, 7 under-19 seam bowlers, 16 senior batters, 14 under-19 batters) were used to calculate the theoretical maximal force (F0), theoretical maximal velocity (V(0)), theoretical maximal power (Pmax), slope of the force-velocity relationship (F-V slope), maximal ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force (RFmax), decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force (DRF) and optimum velocity (Vopt). There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in sprint times nor sprint mechanical profile variables between position or age. However, there was a moderately greater F0 (N/Kg) (ES = 0.78; 90% CI 0.19–1.34) and RFmax (ES = 0.75; 90% CI 0.11–1.35) in senior seam bowlers when compared to batters. Furthermore, FV Slope (ES = 0.79; 90% CI 0.15–1.40) and DRF (ES = 0.75; 90% CI 0.11–1.35) were moderately greater in senior compared to under-19 batters. When expressed relative to body mass, it appears that senior international seam bowlers show trends towards a more force biased profile during sprinting when compared to batters. These findings will help coaches to optimise physical preparation strategies in youth and senior international cricketers.

The physical profile of female cricketers: An investigation between playing standard and position

“…The standardised magnitude of effect sizes (ES) difference was examined between groups (professional seam bowler, professional non-seam bowler, non-professional seam bowler, non-professional non-seam bowler). The effect magnitude was assessed on the following scale: less than 0.25 was considered a trivial effect; 0.25 to 0.49 a small effect; 0.50 to 1.00 a moderate effect; greater than 1.00 a large effect [ 19 ].…”

Evolution of anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of international male cricketers from 2014 to 2020 in a World Cup winning nation

“…Two trials, turning off each the right and left side were recorded with the best trial off each side used to calculate an average run-2. All sprints and run-2 tests were performed on the same 60 m indoor cricket training surface as previously described by Ahmun et al 10 .…”

“…Little is known about the physical profiles of international cricketers when compared to the abundance of research in sports like soccer and rugby. A few studies have presented physical profiles of professional domestic cricketers 8,9 , with a single study on a top eight international cricket team 10 . The limitation of the research examining the profiles of professional cricketers is that it only provides an overview of a discrete point in time.…”

“…A few studies have presented physical profiles of professional domestic cricketers, 8,9 with a single study on a top eight international cricket team. 10 The limitation of the research examining the profiles of professional cricketers is that it only provides an overview of a discrete point in time. For practitioners to be able to prepare cricketers effectively for future international competitions it is essential to understand changes across time.…”