Effects of Core Stability Training on Throwing Velocity and Accuracy of Under-19 Professional Cricketers of Sikkim

Abstract

Introduction:

 Cricket is an internationally recognised and one of the most popular games played in India by both males and females, it is a game that utilizes a bat-and-ball and is played on a 22-yard pitch between two teams of eleven players in each team. It is played with three primary skills viz. batting, bowling, and fielding.

The important facet to consider in cricket is throwing, which is an important aspect of fielding in cricket as the fielders from the bowling side commonly employ the overhead throw to deliver the ball back to the wicket keeper, bowler, or a direct contact of the ball on the stumps or a run out after it has been hit by the batsmen. It has been reported that a proximal-to-distal sequence of muscle activation is an important factor for achieving high ball speed in throwing. (3,4) During overhead throwing, (left external oblique, right external oblique, rectus abdominis) following core muscles are activated.

In addition to the core muscles, the serratus anterior muscle (sixth rib) is the first muscle to be activated. This is followed by the activation of the serratus anterior muscle (eighth rib), which led to the shoulder horizontal flexor muscles mainly pectoralis and anterior deltoid, which was followed by a further sequence of muscle activation from the shoulder horizontal flexor muscles to the elbow extensor, i.e., by activation of flexor carpi ulnaris, pronator teres & triceps brachii muscles. (3)

Studies have found that, a deficient core may increase the risk of injuries in the upper extremity due to overload in the shoulder joint. (7) Livia Silveira et al, 2018 found that impaired trunk muscles performance may affects the activation of the serratus anterior, resulting in decrease scapular upward rotation and posterior tilt, which may contribute to development of pain and shoulder injury. (8) The prevalence rates of injuries sustained in the shoulder during a single season was found to be 23% out of which the fielders consisted of 63% and the bowlers attributed to 35% of negative performance impact in their game. (5,6)

As cricket is played with three skills, a player needs a combination of balance, core strength and agility. (12) Core stability is the basis of strong motions and control. It also plays a crucial role in the stabilisation and force production of the body's central core, which is essential for the accomplishment of many athletic endeavours. (12) Additionally, the core is essential to nearly all kinetic chains in sports activities and offers local strength and balance. All kinetic chains of the upper and lower limbs' function will be maximized by control of core strength, balance, and motion.

Recently, core stability training has been suggested to be an effective tool for improving throwing velocity in handball players which include both male and female players. (14,15) Although training programs that incorporate core stability training under unstable conditions have been shown to increase core muscle activation, Jose M olive Lozano et al,.2020 studied EMG activity of six core muscles during core physical fitness, the study concluded that greatest activity in all six core muscles was found in free-weight exercise rather than other core exercise (traditional, stability, ball/device stability exercise). (16)

James L Nuzzo et al,.2008 studied trunk muscle activity during stability ball and free weight exercises, study concluded that muscle activity of the back extensors was significantly greater in free weight exercise (like squats, deadlifts) when compared to stability ball exercises designed to activate the same muscles.(17) Hence, the purpose of this study is to determine the effects of core stability training mainly using free weight exercise on throwing velocity and accuracy in U-19 professional cricketer in Sikkim. It is hypothesized that free weight core stability training is superior to any other forms of core stability exercise as it showed greater activation of core muscles in EMG hence, improvement of core muscles is more which will impart improvement in throwing velocity and accuracy while performing overhead throws in cricket.

Methodology:

A Randomized Controlled Trial was conducted in two playgrounds of Sikkim and an indoor stadium. (Tathengchen, Tadong college ground, GMC Indoor Stadium).

Players from both genders, who were aged below 19 years and have been playing for Sikkim for at least one year, and who have not sustained an injury a month prior to the conduction of the study were included as participants for this study. Duration was One year i.e., December 2022 to May 2023. Subjects were selected by Computer generated random sampling.

Result:

Interaction effects of type of training vs time points were computed for outcome measures and is presented in table 8. Significance of change or the difference between the intervention group and control group at baseline, fourth-week, eight-week, twelve-week at 95% Confidence Interval was computed for both U-14 and U-19 age groups.

 From baseline to twelve-week we could see the interaction effects for both U-14 (control/experimental) and U-19 (control/experimental) groups, it can be concluded that there is significant difference measured in throwing velocity and accuracy as well in core endurance between the group at different set of time.

Conclusion: Twelve weeks of core stability training showed significant improvement in throwing velocity and accuracy among under-19 professional cricketers of Sikkim. In addition, there is significant improvement in core endurance with twelve weeks of core stability training. Core stability training program including free weight exercises may paly vital role in improving throwing velocity and throwing accuracy which ultimately improves game performance in professional Cricket players.