Anthropometric and Body Composition Characteristics as Predictors of Ball Speed Performance in Cricket for Pace Bowlers: Multiple Regression Approach

Abstract

Aim and Objective: The study aimed to investigate the relationship of selected anthropometric and body compositional variables to the releasing speed of the ball in medium pace bowlers. Materials and Methods: Thirty senior’s women board players (BCCI) were selected for the study (mean age 23.4 ± 2.03, mean height 152.1 ± 3.44, and mean weight 52.4 ± 4.21). Sliding caliper and anthropometric rode were used for anthropometrical measurements, and for the body compositional measurement, bio-electrical impedance was used and the releasing speed of the ball was assessed using velocity speed radar gun. Results: Among all the selected variables, the model identified three variables which were muscle mass, total arm length, and fat and the regression model explains 97.6% of the total variability in the muscle mass, total arm length, and fat in relation to ball release speed of the pace bowlers and which is quite good. Conclusion: The regression equation which was developed by the model was as follow: Speed of the ball (performance of pace bowlers) = –94.767+5.15×(Muscle Mass)+1.488×(Total Arm Length)+0.220×(Fat).