INTRODUCTION

Cricket is meant to be the most popular and intermittent sport and has evolved from a traditional and conservative sport to a professional game that requires very high fitness and skill levels.[1] The Players play on the cricket pitch which is of 22 yards in the center of the cricketing ground. There is a crease on each end of the pitch and the distance between both the creases is 17.68m. It is a unique sport in which there are number of formats like Test, one day international, T20 internationals.[2] International and T20 format of the game has gone through major changes and have increased the physical demands on the players, Athletes and individuals who possess good strength motor ability tend to perform better.[3] In cricket, an Increase in upper body strength is particularly important when executing powerful cricket strokes. Well-timed powerful cricket strokes provide batsmen with the best chance of hitting boundaries. The batsmen have to be physically strong to hit the ball hard and to score runs.[4] During overhead bowling, flexion-extension movement plays an important role along with external rotators which develop force equal to body weight and control eccentrically the upper arm to prevent joint distraction during overhead throwing motion. Recent literature has shown that there is fair positive relation between shoulder flexor and external rotator strength and bowling speed. Limited overs game such as one day and T20 international have highlighted the importance of fielding performance for run restriction.[5]

A quick single involves batsman sprinting maximally over the 17.68m pitch in an attempt to score a run. The mean sprint distance when fielding in 1-day internationals and test matches is approximately 15–18 m. Acceleration at initial moment of the run plays an important role if the batsmen are running after hitting the ball within 30 yards.[6] Batsmen are expected to score more runs, which involve taking risk and requiring the ability to run faster between the wickets. High sprinting speed is considered to be an important attribute of cricketers. Lower limb strength as well as core strength is most important for cricket player to sprint behind the ball reaching boundary line.[7]

The average velocity of the ball bowled by a bowler is 140-150kmph. When the ball reaches this velocity exposes constraints of human visual system. Some of the important visual skills required for cricket batting are: static and dynamic visual acuity, depth perception, eye movements, peripheral vision, accommodation and eye-hand coordination. Several of the recent studies shows that visual training can improve sports performance.[8]  Extreme time constraints are created when a bowler delivers a ball at high velocity limiting the batsman’s time to use information from ball flight alone to prepare and execute a stroke.[9] Cricketers who carried out visual training showed significant improvements in skills such as peripheral vision, ball skills, concentration, focus flexibility and coordination.[10]

Fielders are required to have good reactions as well as an excellent level of concentration, especially for close and demanding positions. Slip and inner-ring fielders should always expect a catch to come their way every ball, and need to be prepared to react quickly and accurately.[11]

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

Current literature has shown that Due to rapid ongoing development of cricket in regards to the shorter formats, namely T/20 and One-day Cricket running (Speed) and explosive power and strength in hitting the ball has become a fundamental physiological and physical characteristics of a cricket player. There are increased demands being placed on cricketers for them to be in peak physical conditions not only for performance, but also for prevention of injury.⁴ Performance indices such as total distance covered, high-speed running and number of acceleration and deceleration are typically lower for shorter formats, while for longer multi marches are more physically demanding. Crickfit intervention program is focused on aspects such as strength, power, speed, repeat sprint ability, injury prevention and improve the cricket specific physical fitness and performance.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Will there be any effect of CRICKFIT Intervention Program on selective fitness variables in amateur cricket batsmen?

                                   AIM AND OBJECTIVES:

AIM:

To find the effect of the CRICKFIT intervention program on Selective fitness variables in amateur batsmen

OBJECTIVES:

• To find the effect of CRICKFIT intervention program on Sprint Performance.
•  To find the effect of CRICKFIT intervention program on Explosive power of upper limb. 
• To find the effect of CRICKFIT intervention program on Reaction time.                                     Hypotheses

• Null Hypothesis (H0):

  There will be no significant effect of CRICKFIT intervention program on selective fitness variables in amateur batsmen

   

  Alternative Hypothesis (H1):  

  There will be a significant effect of CRICKFIT intervention program on selective fitness variables in amateur batsmen

  Source of Data: Amateur cricket players

  Study setting:  The study will be conducted at PMT Sports ground, Loni BK

  Study Duration: 2 years

  Method of collection of data: Data will be collected by the primary investigator.

  Type of Data: Quantitative data

• SELECTION CRITERIA:

  Inclusion criteria:

  ·       Amateur male and female cricketers

  ·       Participants who are willing to participate

• ·       Age group 18-24

  ·       Participants fulfilling PARQ+

  Exclusion criteria:

  Participants excluded will be:

  ·       Any type of acute and severe Systemic illness

  ·       Any recent surgical and medical history.

  Psychologically unstable participants

• OUTCOME MEASURES

  Outcome measures used for this study will be as follows,

  ·       Sprint performance- Measured with 20m sprint test

  ·       Explosive power of upper limb- Measured with medicine ball throw test (Medicine ball of 3kg)

  ·       Reaction time- measured with ruler drop test

   

  
  

• PROCEDURE

  Protocol is prepared and ethical clearance will be obtained from the IEC.

  The Participants will be selected based on the eligibility criteria.

  Informed consent will be obtained from the participants and demographic data will be recorded.

  Participants will be randomly allocated to 2 groups that is experimental group(n=) and control group(n=). Prior assessment of the participants will be done and will be recorded on the record sheet.

  Experimental group undergo CRICKFIT training program along with conventional Exercises for 6 weeks and control group will undergo conventional Exercises for 6 weeks.

  After 6 weeks post assessment of Sprint performance, Explosive power of upper limb and Reaction time will be done and will be recorded on record sheet. Data analysis will be done according to applicable test.

  All the instructions will be given verbally, provided demonstration and guided through a single practice trial of the training exercises.

  The participants in the experimental group will be given exercise regimen and administered to perform for 60 mins per day including the conventional training program of 30 mins per day for 3 days in a week for 6 weeks and control group will be given exercise for 30 mins per day for 3 days in a week

  Then simple random sampling will be done for distribution of (Number of participants) into 2 groups. (Group A Experimental Group) and (Group B Control Group). Target population were 18 to 24 years of age of participants fulfilling PARQ+.

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