Strength and conditioning practices for the optimisation of speed and accuracy in cricket fast bowlers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

The most important determinants of a cricket fast bowler's performance are bowling speed and accuracy. Even though various strength and conditioning practices (resistance, plyometric and modified-implement training) have been employed to improve these parameters, there is still ambiguity as to the effectiveness of such training programmes. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the influence of various training interventions on fast bowling speed and accuracy. Searches were conducted across PubMed, Web of science, SPORTDiscus, Scopus and CINAHL. Inclusion criteria were studies that: were original research or conference presentations; recruited fast bowlers as participants; involved a physical training intervention; written in English; and included bowling speed or accuracy as outcome measures. Ten articles met our inclusion criteria for qualitative and eight for quantitative analysis. The quality of the studies assessed using Downs and Black checklist ranged from low to moderate with a mean ± SD of 64.5 ± 8.14%. There was a moderate and significant effect of plyometric training intervention on bowling speed (SMD = 0.75; Z = 2.98; p = 0.003). Further, a small and non-significant effect of resistance training on bowling speed was observed in our study (SMD = 0.40; Z = 1.39; p = 0.164). A small but non-significant difference was found in the ball speed post modified ball weight training intervention (SMD = 0.30; Z = 1.14; p = 0.252). The findings from our study are useful for strength and conditioning coaches in helping to design and implement fast-bowling specific training programmes for improved bowling speed.

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

“…Lower-limb power in both the vertical and horizontal planes has been suggested to be important to cricket performance, irrespective of playing position, as explosive lower-limb power would be anticipated to aid in fielding, power-hitting and seam bowling [ 5 , 24 , 25 ]. Despite the proposed importance of lower-limb power for cricket performance, there was no differences in playing standard for either the broad jump or CMJ tests.…”

“…This finding could be linked to the moderately , non-significant, higher body mass recorded for professional cricketers in comparison to non-professional cricketers. It was anticipated that seam bowlers would possess higher levels of lower limb strength, as high force production capacity has been suggested as a pre-requisite for tolerating the high ground reaction forces experienced during the deliver stride, as well as to optimise ball release speed within male seam bowling scientific literature [ 24 , 27 ]. However, the results of the current investigation reported that non-seam bowlers possessed greater lower-limb strength.…”

Exploring the influence of task and environmental constraints on batting and bowling performance in cricket: A systematic review

“…A recent meta-analysis also reported that modified ball weight training had a moderate effect on bowling speed, albeit the findings being non-significant. 45 The reasons for the non-significant findings were at least partially attributed towards the difference in physical training background, skill level of the participants, and duration of the training program. With regards to the effects of modified ball weight training on bowling accuracy, the studies included in this systematic review reported contrasting results.…”

Untitled

“…Lower-limb power in both the vertical and horizontal planes has been suggested to be important to cricket performance, irrespective of playing position, as explosive lower-limb power would be anticipated to aid in fielding, power-hitting and seam bowling [5,24,25]. Despite the proposed importance of lower-limb power for cricket performance, there was no…”