Effectiveness of sprint interval training on repeated sprint ability (RSA) and lower limb power in amateur cricket batsmen at the end of 4 weeks: An experimental study

Abstract

Purpose: Cricket necessitates intermittent activities, which include high intensity sprinting. Stop and go nature of the sprinting between the wickets puts stress on the cricketers. Batting requires the ability to run between the wickets effectively to increase the scoring rate. RSA is the capability of an athlete to recover & maintain highest possible efforts during subsequent sprinting. Which is important in team sport. It is frequently trained & calculated via high-intensity sprint, interspersed with brief recovery bouts (<=30sec). Sprint interval training works on developing metabolic or neuromuscular system or both. This research studies the effect of sprint interval training on repeated sprint ability and lower limb power in cricket batsmen.Method: In this study 34 samples were collected according to the inclusion and the exclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups odd and even basis. Exercise protocol was administered to group A for 4 weeks, alternate days in each week and group B continued with their regular training. Pre and post data was collected using Repeated Sprint Ability test and Standing Long Jump test.Results: After 4 weeks Results showed that in group A Sprint Interval Training has significant effect of Repeated Sprint Ability (Difference 6.193 to 5.186, t = 5.085, P value is 0.000) and Standing long jump (Difference 228.18 to 234.06, t = 9.017, P value is < 0.0001). After 4 weeks conventional exercise in group B didn’t show enough significant effect on Repeated Sprint Ability (Difference 6.855 to 6.549, t = 0.5741, P value is 0.5739) conventional exercises showed significant effect on Standing Long Jump test (Difference 197.53 to 199.29, t = 3.017, P value is 0.0082). Comparing group A and group B, results showed that Sprint interval Training had significant improvements in improving the Repeated Sprint Ability (Difference 5.183 and 6.549, t = 3.061, P value is 0.0044) and Standing Long Jump test (Difference 234.06 and 199.29, t = 4.007, P value is 0.0003) than conventional exercises.Conclusion: This study concludes that Sprint Interval Training is more effective than conventional exercises in improving the repeated sprint ability and lower limb power in amateur cricket batsmen by the end of 4 weeks.