Does ‘Optimal’ Performance Necessitate Higher Ground Reaction Forces? A Fast Bowling Perspective

Abstract

AbstractWithin many sporting activities, techniques which are ‘optimal’ in terms of performance cause larger forces and loading rates to be exerted on the body, potentially increasing the likelihood of injury (e.g. maximum velocity sprinting, drop jumping). Previous research has suggested this is true in cricket, with bowlers who release the ball at the fastest speeds having the highest peak ground reaction forces and loading rates.Twenty elite male fast bowlers performed three maximum pace deliveries in an indoor cricket facility. Kinematic data were collected using an 18 camera Vicon Motion Analysis System operating at 300 Hz. Ground reaction forces during the front foot contact phase of the bowling action were measured using a Kistler force plate (1008 Hz). Ball release speed and the instant of ball release were calculated using a marker placed on the ball. Correlations between parameters were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients.Rather than being linked to higher forces and loading rates, ball speed was positively correlated with the total horizontal impulse between front foot contact and ball release. Ball release speed was positively correlated with run-up speed and plant angle at front foot contact. In contrast to previous reported relationships, faster bowlers were observed to have a lower ball release height.The findings of this investigation contradict previous suggestions of a trade-off between ‘optimal’ performance (maximum ball release speed) and the forces exerted on the body (peak ground reaction forces and loading rates). The perhaps counterintuitive relationship between ball release height and ball speed emphasises the need to understand the underlying mechanics of a technique before intuitive judgments are made. This study motivates further investigation of the effects of fast bowling technique on the forces within the body, in particular in the lower back where injuries are most prevalent in fast bowlers.Keywordscricketfast bowling techniqueground reaction forcesball release speedlower back injury