Abstract
The trunk connects the upper and lower limbs and transfers energy during movement. Exploring the role of the trunk muscles in bowling performance affords us the opportunity to uncover potential mechanisms to improve bowling performance. To investigate the association between bowling performance and trunk muscle stability, strength-endurance and thickness in adolescent pace bowlers. Adolescent pace bowlers participated in this cross-sectional study. Trunk muscle stability was measured using Sahrmann's Stability Scale, strength-endurance using the Bourbon Trunk Muscle Strength Test and thickness of the abdominal wall and lumbar multifidus muscles using ultrasound imaging. Forty-six pace bowlers with a mean age of 15.9 ±1.2 years participated. The average ball release speed was 109.2±11.8 km.h-1. This measurement was higher in level four of stability than in level two (mean difference 22.2 ± SD 6.8 km.h-1; p= .018). No link between ball release speed and strength-endurance could be found. Multiple correlations of moderate strength (r > 0.4) exist between ball release speed and absolute trunk muscle thickness with height and weight as confounding factors. The relationship between accuracy and the trunk muscle variables investigated in this study is weak. Bowlers with better trunk muscle stability bowled faster than those with a lower level of trunk stability, irrespective of their age, height and weight. Trunk muscle thickness correlated with ball release speed; however, confounding factors such as height and weight play a role and therefore, findings need to be interpreted with caution.
Highlights
IntroductionThe trunk connects the upper and lower limbs and transfers energy during movement. Exploring the role of the trunk muscles in bowling performance affords us the opportunity to uncover potential mechanisms to improve bowling performance
Ball release speed and accuracy The participants bowled at a mean of 109.2 km.h-1 (SD=11.8; median=105.0; range=85.5-128.9 km.h-1) and a median accuracy score of 70 percent was attained
There was no association between ball release speed and accuracy (ρ= -.08; p= .586)
Summary
The trunk connects the upper and lower limbs and transfers energy during movement. Exploring the role of the trunk muscles in bowling performance affords us the opportunity to uncover potential mechanisms to improve bowling performance. Objectives: To investigate the association between bowling performance and trunk muscle stability, strength-endurance and thickness in adolescent pace bowlers. The average ball release speed was 109.2±11.8 km.h-1 This measurement was higher in level four of stability than in level two (mean difference 22.2 ± SD 6.8 km.h-1; p= .018). Multiple correlations of moderate strength (r > 0.4) exist between ball release speed and absolute trunk muscle thickness with height and weight as confounding factors. Conclusion: Bowlers with better trunk muscle stability bowled faster than those with a lower level of trunk stability, irrespective of their age, height and weight. Trunk muscle thickness correlated with ball release speed; confounding factors such as height and weight play a role and findings need to be interpreted with caution.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
