Objective assessment of fast bowling delivery intensity in amateur male cricketers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Wearable microtechnology is effective in detecting fast deliveries in cricket, however methods to quantify delivery intensity have not been established. This study aimed to investigate the utility of wearable sensors in quantifying cricket fast bowling intensity. Fifteen sub-elite male fast bowlers performed deliveries at warm-up, match, and maximal intensities. A principal component analysis resulted in the selection of perceived exertion and seven variables of bowling exertion derived from trunk- (PlayerLoad™, trunk flexion velocity, trunk forward rotation velocity) and tibia-mounted (tibial acceleration at back foot contact, front foot contact, back foot re-contact and front foot re-contact) inertial measurement units for further analysis. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to investigate the effect of intensity on outcome variables. Significant main effects of intensity and large effect sizes were identified for all variables (p < .05, np 2 > 0.14). Measures from the match and maximal conditions were significantly larger compared with the warm-up condition (Pholm < .05). No differences were observed between the match and maximal conditions (p > .05). Inertial measurement metrics can distinguish between a warm-up effort and both match and maximal fast bowling delivery intensity. These devices provide a unique, time-efficient approach to cricket fast bowling exertion quantification.