Fast bowlers in cricket rely heavily on upper arm muscle strength, power, and endurance to deliver high-speed balls and prevent injury. Two primary training approaches, accentuated eccentric and concentric training, are widely used to enhance these physical attributes. Accentuated eccentric training focuses on the muscle-lengthening phase under increased loads, while concentric training emphasizes the muscle-shortening phase. This study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of these two training approaches on upper arm muscle girth, strength, and power, providing evidence-based guidance for optimizing fast bowlers' strength and conditioning programs. This randomized clinical trial will investigate the effects of accentuated eccentric versus concentric training on upper arm muscle girth, strength, and power in 44 male fast bowlers aged 18-30 years, who have at least two years of bowling experience. Participants will be randomly assigned in to two groups: Group A, which will undergo an accentuated eccentric training program, and Group B, which will perform concentric-focused training. Both groups will participate in a structured 8-week training regimen with sessions three times per week. Baseline measurements for muscle girth, (measuring tape) strength, (via handheld dynamometer), and power, (measured by medicine ball throw) will be collected and compared with post-intervention assessments. Data will be analyzed using SPSS 26 software
Design: Randomized clinical trials(RCT) Sample Size: will be calculated by using G-power/epi tool Sampling Technique: convienent and non- probability sampling Study Setting: The study will be conducted at a sports training facility PCB lahore Inclusion Criteria * Male fast bowlers aged 18-30 * At least 2 years of bowling experience Exclusion Criteria * Participants with any upper body musculoskeletal injuries within the last 6 months * History of any chronic illness affecting physical performance * Previously activily involved in eccentric or concentric training in the past year Tools The primary tools for data collection will include: Muscle girth measurement: Measuring tape for arm girth. Strength measurement: squat with 1RM Power measurement: Medicine ball throw test to assess upper body power output
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
44
This group will receive accentuated eccentric exercise training program
A handheld dynamometer is a portable device used to measure muscle strength and force output. Commonly utilized in rehabilitation and sports science, it provides objective assessments of muscular strength in various body parts. By applying force against the dynamometer, clinicians can quantify strength levels accurately, track progress, and tailor training programs effectively
This group will receive concentric exercise training program
Dring Stadium Bahawalpur
Chak Four Hundred Fifty-four, Punjab Province, Pakistan
Measuring tape
A measuring tape is a flexible tool used to measure the circumference of body parts, commonly used in physical fitness, sports, and medical assessments. It is an ideal instrument for measuring muscle girth, such as the biceps, triceps, and other body areas, due to its flexibility and ease of use. Measuring tape provides accurate, reliable circumference measurements, enabling the assessment of muscle hypertrophy or body composition changes over time. It provides a direct measure of the circumference of the biceps and triceps at specified points (e.g., midway between the shoulder and elbow)
Time frame: 8 weeks
Handled dynamometer
A handheld dynamometer is a portable device used to measure muscle strength and force output. Commonly utilized in rehabilitation and sports science, it provides objective assessments of muscular strength in various body parts. By applying force against the dynamometer, clinicians can quantify strength levels accurately, track progress, and tailor training programs effectively
Time frame: 8 weeks
Medicine ball throw
The medicine ball throw is a dynamic test used to assess upper body power, specifically targeting the shoulders, chest, triceps, and core muscles. In this test, participants throw a weighted medicine ball (typically 3-5 kg) as far as possible from a standing or seated position. The throw is executed with an explosive pushing motion, similar to a chest pass in basketball, and the distance covered by the ball is measured. For male cricket players, excellent scores 6.0 meters, above-average scores range from 5.0 to 6.0 meters, average scores are between 4.0 and 5.0 meters, and below-average scores fall under 4.0 meters
Time frame: 8 weeks
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