The effects of a four weeks combined resistance training programme on cricket bowling velocity

Background: Despite the importance of resistance training for cricket pace bowlers, there is limited research displaying meaningful improvements in ball release velocity following resistance training. Objectives: The study aimed at investigating the effects of a four weeks combined resistance training programme on ball release velocity in club cricket pace bowlers. Methods: Eighteen adult male club level pace bowlers were allocated into a combined resistance training (CRT) group or a traditional cricket training (TR) group. The CRT group (n=9) performed two training sessions a week for four weeks, consisting of a combination of core and lower body strength exercises, plyometric exercises, and weighted implement training. The TR group (n=9) did no resistance training and only bowled with regular weighted cricket balls. Pre- testing/post-testing variables were ball release velocity, bowling accuracy, and upper and lower body neuromuscular performance. Results: The CRT group significantly increased their ball release velocity by six percent (5.1 km·h-1), effect size (ES) =0.65, p<0.001) after four weeks of training, while there was no significant difference in the TR group (0.00 km·h-1, ES=0.0, p=0.674). There was no statistically significant difference in the bowling accuracy and lower body neuromuscular performance for both groups and the upper body neuromuscular performance for the CRT group. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of a combined resistance training programme that can be used to improve bowling velocity in cricket pace bowlers. This increase in ball velocity was not related to any of the neuromuscular performance variables measured.

Effects of a resistance training community programme in older adults

Ageing is associated with reduced muscle mass, strength, flexibility and balance, resulting in a poor quality of life (QOL). Past studies have occurred in highly controlled laboratory settings which provide strong support to determine whether similar gains can be made in community programmes. Twenty participants were enrolled in an eight-week community-based resistance training programme (mean age = 61.3 (standard error (SE) = 0.9) years); Body Mass Index = 32.0 (SE = 1.3) kg/m2). All participants completed surveys to assess outcomes associated with QOL. Given the relationship between muscle function and nerve health, nerve conduction studies (NCS) were also conducted in a separate group of participants (mean age = 64.9 (SE = 2.0) years; Body Mass Index = 32.6 (SE = 1.9) kg/m2). This community-based training programme significantly improved QOL measures in older adults (p < 0.001). Although weight loss was not the primary outcome of the study, participants reduced their body weights (p < 0.001), by primarily reducing fat mass (p = 0.007) while maintaining muscle mass. Significant improvements were observed in muscle strength (2.2%), flexibility and balance (3.2–464.2%, p ⩽ 0.05 for all). Improvements were also observed in plasma glucose (p = 0.05), haemoglobin A1C (p = 0.06) and aldolase enzyme levels (p < 0.001). Scores for surveys on memory and sleep improved (p < 0.05). Improved QOL was associated with increased lean mass (r = −0.714, p = 0.002), decreased fat mass (r = −0.702, p = 0.003) and improved flexibility and balance (r = −0.627, p = 0.008). An eight-week, community-based resistance training programme significantly improved QOL in older adults. Influence on the lipid profile and NCS still needs further investigation.

Effects of Progressive Resistance Training on Cognition and IGF-1 Levels in Elder Women Who Live in Areas with High Air Pollution

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a muscular strength programme on the levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and cognitive status in elder women with mild cognitive impairment who lived in areas of high air pollution. A total of 157 women participated in the study, distributed in four groups: Active/Clean (AC n = 38) and Active/Pollution (AP n = 37), who carried out a progressive resistance training programme for 24 months, and Sedentary/Clean (SC n = 40) and Sedentary/Pollution (SP n = 42). Maximum strength in the upper and lower limbs (1RM), cognition (Mini-Mental Scale Examination (MMSE)) and blood IGF-1 were evaluated. At the beginning of the intervention, there were no differences between the groups in the assessed variables. The active groups which carried out the resistance training programme (AC and AP), registered better results in IGF-1 than the sedentary groups. These differences were statistically significant in AC vs. SC (p < 0.01) and AP vs. SC (p < 0.05). Regarding MMSE, group AC registered the highest score increases (+8.2%) (significantly better than the other groups), while group SP worsened (−7%) significantly compared to the other three groups. In conclusion, resistance training had a positive effect on IGF-1, while sedentary behaviour and air pollution had a negative effect on cognitive status.

P86 Evaluation of a 10-week progressive resistance training programme for people with inflammatory arthritis

Background Inflammatory arthritis [IA] has adverse effects on strength, function, fatigue and well-being. Guidelines recommend people with IA should exercise to improve strength and cardiovascular fitness. In 2015, our Rheumatology Physiotherapy Team introduced an evidence-based Progressive Resistance Training Programme [PRTP] for people with IA. This research aimed to evaluate its effectiveness within a United Kingdom National Health Service [NHS] setting. Methods A pre- to post-treatment evaluation was conducted. People with IA attending Rheumatology Physiotherapy were offered the supervised PRTP (1-hour x 10 weeks), performing 7 resistance exercises each session (70-80% 1RM, 3 x 8-12 reps). Pre- and post-treatment outcomes included Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ], EQ5D-5L, Self-Efficacy (SARAH Trial), 30 second Sit-to-Stand [STS], FACIT-F (fatigue scale) and Grip Strength. Changes in outcomes were analysed using Paired Samples t-tests and standardised mean difference (SMD) were calculated. Results 201 patients commenced the programme between May 2015 and April 2019, with 121 participants completing it. Diagnoses included Rheumatoid Arthritis (n = 149), Psoriatic Arthritis (n = 42), Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (n = 5), Enteropathic IA (n = 2), Oligoarthritis (n = 1), Reactive Arthritis (n = 1) and Undifferentiated IA (n = 1). Age = mean 56.8 ± SD 14.8 years; number of sessions attended = 7.7 ± 3.4. There were no differences between participants not completing (n = 54; 72% women; age 55.0 ± 14.6 years; HAQ 0.99 ± 0.70) versus those completing the PRTP (n = 147; 78% women; age 57.5 ± 14.8 years; HAQ 0.86 ± 0.65). A pragmatic decision was made to analyse all available data for each outcome. Conclusion All outcome measures demonstrated statistically significant improvements. Notably, minimal clinically important differences were achieved in STS and FACIT-F. STS correlates to lower limb power, balance and endurance, and is a predictor of falls. Fatigue significantly impacts function in people with IA, often limiting confidence and willingness to participate in exercise activities. Effective evidence based PRTPs for people with IAs can be delivered in an NHS service. Improvements in function, wellbeing, self-efficacy, strength and fatigue are achievable, however, exploration of the clinical relevance of these observed changes is recommended. Further research exploring patients’ perspectives of the PRTP and adherence to long-term exercise is needed. Disclosures J. Skeates: None. J. Pearson: None. S. Derham: None. S. Palmer: None.