Anthropometric and strength correlates of fast bowling speed in junior and senior cricketers

J Strength Cond Res. 2006 Aug;20(3):620-6. doi: 10.1519/R-18315.1.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize relationships between anthropometric and isoinertial strength characteristics and bowling speed in junior and senior cricket fast bowlers. Subjects were first-class senior (n = 24; mean +/- SD age = 23.9 +/- 4.8 years, height = 187.4 +/- 4.8 cm, mass = 87.8 +/- 8.4 kg) and junior representative (n = 48; mean +/- SD age = 14.8 +/- 1.3 years, height = 175.7 +/- 9.8 cm, mass = 65.8 +/- 12.9 kg) male fast bowlers. A full anthropometric profile, upper- and lower-body isoinertial strength tests, and peak bowling speed (Vpeak) were assessed on the same day. The senior bowlers had a substantially faster Vpeak (126.7 km.h(-1)) than the juniors (99.6 km.h(-1)), a larger estimated muscle mass (seniors 40.0 +/- 3.9 kg, juniors 28.3 +/- 5.6 kg), and a greater bench press throw and deltoid throw (all p < 0.01). The best multiple predictors of Vpeak for the junior bowlers were the static jump, bench throw, body mass, percentage muscle mass, and height (multiple-correlation r = 0.86). For the senior bowlers, static jump and arm length correlated positively with Vpeak (multiple-correlation r = 0.74). The 1-legged countermovement jump was negatively correlated with Vpeak in both groups. We conclude that differences in Vpeak between junior and senior bowlers relate primarily to body mass and upper-body strength. However, lower body strength is a more important contributor to Vpeak in senior bowlers.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Body Height / physiology
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity / anatomy & histology*
  • Lower Extremity / physiology
  • Male
  • Muscle Strength / physiology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / anatomy & histology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Sports / physiology*
  • Upper Extremity / anatomy & histology*
  • Upper Extremity / physiology