Effect of Yoga on Performance and Physical Fitness in Cricket Bowlers

Cricket-bowling performance is known to be influenced by speed of ball release and accuracy. Currently, training sessions typically involve fielding-specific drills and conditioning exercises. Scientific evidence for inclusion of a comprehensive yoga intervention in daily training and exercise sessions remains unexplored. The present study explored the effect of yoga on bowling performance and physical fitness in cricket bowlers. Sports fitness testing and training were conducted among 60 non-elite recreational-club male cricket players aged 13–25 years. Cricket-bowling speed was e valuated using a speed radar gun, accuracy with a test developed by Portus et al., cardiorespiratory endurance using the yo-yo intermittent recovery test, lower-extremity and trunk strength using a back-leg dynamometer, upper-limb power using a medicine ball–throw test, power using a vertical-jump test, and flexibility using a sit-and-reach test. In addition to bowling practice, the yoga intervention group (n = 30) performed pranayama and standing and prone asana, whereas the control group (n = 30) practiced conventional conditioning exercises, for 45 minutes/day, three times a week, for 12 weeks. Improvement in bowling speed, accuracy, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility were comparable between the two groups. Statistically significant improvements in baseline scores in bowling speed, accuracy, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle flexibility, strength, and power were comparable between the two groups of non-elite male cricket players. Bowling speed improved by 6.52% in the yoga group and by 5.18% in the control group. Bowling accuracy improved by 35.40% in the yoga group and by 31.29% in the control group. Additional research on long-duration intervention in elite players may help to establish the role of yoga in conventional cricket-bowling training.

The Influence of Arm Length, Eye – Hands – Foot Coordination and Arm Power on the Bowling Ability of Male Cricket Athletes

This study aims to determine the effect of arm length, hand-eye coordination, and arm-toe coordination on the bowling ability of male cricket athletes in Jakarta. Data collection was carried out in early January 2021, which took place at the campus of the Jakarta State University Cricket Arena. The method of research used in this research is survey method with path analysis technique or path analysis. The sample used in this study amounted to 18 people who came from the male Cricket Athlete in Jakarta. The first test that was carried out was measurement of arm length. Then proceed with a test of eye-eye coordination, arm power and bowling ability for male cricket athletes in DKI Jakarta. The hypothesis testing technique used in this study is to use path analysis techniques. The data that has been obtained aka n through a process of analysis of the data through SPSS. The results of this study are: 1) the direct effect of variable X1 on Y (X1  Y) or (r1y) = -0,245. So the effect of arm length (X1) directly affects bowling ability (Y) of -0.245 or -24.5%. 2) The direct effect of variable X2 on Y (X2 Y) or (r2y) = 0.535. So the effect of eye-hand-foot coordination (X2) directly affects bowling ability (Y) by 0.535 or 53.5%. 3) The direct effect of variable X3 on Y (X3  Y) or (r3y) = 0.457. So the effect of arm power (X3) directly affects the bowling ability (Y) of 0.457 or 45.7%. 4) The direct effect of variable X1 on X3 (X1  X3) or (r13) = 0.552. So the effect of arm length (X1) directly affects arm power (X3) by 0.552 or 55.2%. 5). The direct effect of variable X2 on X3 (X2  X3) or (r23) = 0.407. So the effect of hand-eye coordination (X2) directly affects arm power (X3) by 0.407 or 40.7%. 6) The indirect effect of variable X1 on Y through X3 (X1  X3  Y) or (r13y) = 0.552x0.457 = 0.253. So the effect of arm length (X1) indirectly affects bowling ability (Y) through arm power (X3) by 0.253 or 25.3%. 7) The indirect effect of variable X2 on Y through X3 (X2  X3  Y) or (r23y) = 0.407x0.457 = 0.186. So the effect of hand eye coordination (X2) indirectly affects bowling ability (Y) through arm power (X3) by 0.186 or 18.6%.

Epidemiology of annual musculoskeletal injuries among male cricket players in India

Background: Injury surveillance and prevention are as significant as early detection and treatment. This study describes injuries and risk factors involved so that preventive measures can be identified. Aim: To examine the epidemiology of the annual musculoskeletal injuries among injured male cricket players. Method: This study assessed 319 male cricket players, across five State Cricket Associations from January 2017 to January 2018. Results: With an annual injury prevalence of 10.97%, prominent anatomical sites of injury were shoulder (22.85%), lumbar spine (17.14%) and knee (11.42%). Medium pacers sustained 25.71% of the injuries. Age range of 18-24 years had a prominent 37.14% of overuse injuries of which 71.42% were lumbar spine injuries. Lumbar spine injuries resulted in a distinct loss of play days (34.64%). Bowling injuries with 49.5% of loss of play days was most predisposed. Report suggests an upswing in rate of injuries in December (20%). Four surgeries were reported (11.42%). Conclusion: Overuse injuries among young cricket players need prompt attention. Shoulder, lumbar spine and knee are principal anatomical regions that are prone to injuries.