Upper Body Dynamic Balance and Power in Fast and Spin Cricket Bowlers

Abstract

Background: Bowlers in cricket can be classified as fast or spin bowlers. A player must have excellent balance, strength, and speed to move quickly between the wickets and on the field. The determination of upper body dynamic balance and power will provide a greater insight on how these factors can affect the overall performance of different cricket bowlers especially during overhead throwing activities and those which require great balance.

Objective: To determine upper body power and dynamic balance in spin and fast cricket bowlers.

Methodology: Using non-probability convenient sampling techniques, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three sports clubs in Lahore, Pakistan. The study lasted for a total of six months, from June 2023 to December 2023. The sample included 80 spin and fast bowlers aged 18 to 25 years, who had at least one year of bowling experience. Players who complained of pain, exhaustion, or had undergone upper extremity surgery within the previous six months were excluded from participating in study. Y balance dynamic test of upper quadrant was used to asses upper extremity balance and medicine ball was used to assess the power. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, with descriptive statistics presented as frequencies, percentages, means, & standard deviations.

Results: The results of the study showed that the mean composite Score of Y balance test of dominant arm in fast bowlers was 87.98 ± 11.92 SD while for spin bowlers it was 98.83 ± 8.72 with P value of 0.03. Upper body power found using Backward Overhead Medicine Ball throw (BOMB) showed no statistical difference in power between the two groups, with mean SD of 40 ± 11.49 for fast bowlers and 40 ± 9.79 for spin bowlers with P value of 0.08.

Conclusion: There was no significant statistical variation in upper body power observed between fast and spin bowlers, based on the study's finding. However, results imply that there was statistically significant difference in balance of bowling arm with spin bowlers having greater balance compared to fast bowlers.

Keywords: Athletic performances, Biomechanics, Cricket sports, Physical fitness testing, Postural balance.