Effect of core muscle strengthening on throwing velocity in cricket players in Pakistan: a 6-week randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND During fielding throwing ball with more velocity and accuracy towards the stump to reduce score and produce an out of the opponent team. Core is the power house of the body. Core training improves the strength of trunk muscles and allows the players to kick, throw, pull, and push with greater force. AIM This study was conducted to determine the effects of core muscle strengthening on throwing velocity in cricket players that whether core muscle strengthening would help the cricket players to improve their throwing velocity and core endurance. METHODS A 6 weeks randomized controlled trial in which Ninety-eight male cricket players participated and divided into strength training (interventional) and non-strength training (control group). Interventional group followed general core strengthening exercise protocol for six weeks for 3 days a week. Assessment of the players include core assessment test (back extension, supine forward flexion test, prone bridge test). Time and throwing velocity was noted by stop watch and radar gun in km/hr respectively at baseline and after 6 weeks of core training. Control group did not follow any exercise program but continued their usual cricket training. RESULTS Mean age of interventional group was 20.4±4.9 years and control group was 21.6±3.4 years. The mean BMI of interventional and control group was 22.4±2.7 kg/m2 and 21.8±2.1 kg/m2, respectively. Comparing both groups, in between group analysis stregnth training group results showed statistically highly significant increase p<0.001 in compoments 'throwing velocity, back extension, supine flesion , right plank lateral, left lateral planl and isometric prone plank' than non strengthing group. In within group analysis, strength group had improved as compared to the control group which showed no improvement. CONCLUSIONS There is significant increase in throwing velocity and core endurance with six weeks general core stregthening in male cricket players.