As suggested by (Freeston et al., 2016), numerous ball sports such as cricket depend on the speed of the ball. Therefore the capacity of throwing the ball at high speed and with precision plays a vital role in successful performance in diverse ball sports such as cricket. For instance, during the Attacking format in the cricket game, the player must be capable to puzzle the ball with precision and rapidity (Freeston et al., 2007). Therefore the techniques used in throwing the ball are vital as well as the kinetic chain (Elliott & Anderson, 1990).
The scientific idea behind the body movement in numerous ball sports is the neuromuscular coordination that transmits energy consequently from the lower body to the upper body (Seroyer et al., 2010). Therefore, an increase in the body segment’s movement results in an increased sequential movement hence greater potential velocity. Within the context of a player, the shoulder executes a significant character in the kinematic sequence. Furthermore, the brawny forces that are established in the shoulder are the foremost elements in the general performance when it comes to throwing the ball. (Seroyer et al., 2010).
As a subject of previous research, the throwing technique is seen as the main focus from the researchers’ perspective. Therefore, the strength of the shoulder and the ratio of the external to internal shoulder rotators are the main testing point of the previous research. For instance, one of the studies examined the throwing technique in teenage players to define the forcible versions that take place with tedious puzzling (Clements et al., 2001a). Despite such research, still, there are no dynamic variations that can be traced in both the shoulder and the elbow joint. Nonetheless, as explored by (Clements et al., 2001b) extreme puzzling speeds are achieved in skillful teenagers without alterations in their isokinetic muscle intensity.
As suggested by (Reinold & Curtis, 2013), the glenohumeral joint motion and stability are an outcome of cuff muscles of the shoulder, which are the utmost when throwing. Besides, it is an action that originates from the stable and synchronized action of the spinner cuff physiques. Therefore, the role played by the brawny stabilizers of the shoulder multifaceted is vital when it comes to preventing the injuries that may occur when sporting (Paine &Voight, 2013). There is still a shortage of studies towards cricket despite numerous research conducted on isokinetic strength and sports performance cricket (Derbyshire, 2007; Freeston et al., 2007; Freeston et al., 2016).
In cricket, there are diverse features that are considered to be columns, namely, batting, bowling, and fielding. However, the main area of attention is the catching constituent of the game, chiefly the puzzling facet of cricket(1). For a successful outcome of the game, the player is entitled to various tasks such as the aptitude to puzzle the ball at high velocity. Furthermore, despite the players throwing the ball at high velocity, it is also important to consider certain facets like accuracy that will also aid to a successful outcome of the game. Therefore, the two aspects are considered challenging tasks within the context of a player.
From the context of suggested aspects of a successful outcome of the game, force output and force development is key(14). The force output is considered important due to the dynamic connection of the proximal to lateral order is puzzling (17). Consequently, the force can be sequentially transferred from the proximal segment like the hips to a more distal segment like the shoulder and arms. This is crucial in improving the throwing velocity, thus the optimal agility and power conveyance of the proximal sections. These are the main areas of interest of various research gurus which have resulted in directing upcoming research towards the rotational agility and power effect puzzling velocity amid cricketers.
A player’s mobility is an important aspect across athletes. Therefore, a decrease in such aspects leads to a decrease in performance(21). in addressing such aspects, it is important to focus on a rotational range of motion (ROM) of the proximal segment like the hips and the thoracic spine of the athlete since they perform a crucial character in any puzzling action. Since most puzzling and striking sports entail a consecutive decoration of proximal to distal, it is significant to recognize the effect of rotational flexibility during the kinetic sequence, exclusively on the body part that allows the utmost rotation due to the alignment of the links (20).
Thoracic flexibility can be proven via a seated bar in a front rotational test with high reliability by using a goniometer. A score of 0.80 on the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) is proof of the claim. Correspondingly, a seated hip rotation assessment is considered reliable since a score of 0.93 and 0.96 on ICCs as well as a score of 12.3 and 8.3% on Coefficient of Variation (CV) can attest to the claim. Despite these tests, no researcher has been able to conduct investigations on the purpose of hip and thoracic flexibility on cricket ball-puzzling velocity. This confirms that the capacity to give rise to force in the oblique plane rapidly can be regarded as significant in a rotational-dependent sport like cricket. Such sports can be conceived as rotational power sports because they seek explosive movements in either the oblique or leaning planes (4). As such, medicine ball and cable pulleys can be applied to assist in growing and measuring rotational strength as they permit movement in all three planes.
They have more scores than the opponents have considered as the final aim of all ball sports, thus the throwing performance. The throwing performance effectiveness in ball sports primarily depends on two aspects that will determine the outcome of the game. For instance, in handball, puzzling velocity and puzzling precision are vital in the outcome of the game. The handball entails overarm throwing, which is a complex motion thus regarded as a fast discrete movement of high intensity. Within this context, the handball players should possess a unique technique of body segments(i.e., intermuscular coordination), that are characterized by optimal coordination and timing of consecutive actions. This is to help the players in utilizing their techniques and as a result, achieve maximal throwing velocity. In addition to body segments, a better level of muscle strength and power in the upper and lower limbs may also be an aspect that will assist in attaining success on the final whistle of the game (17,23). Furthermore, core strength, as the connecting link between upper and lower extremities, plays also an important role in receiving, adding, and transferring energy from the proximal to the distal body segments (32).
The efficiency of different strength training programs is also an important aspect of numerous ball sports. Primarily, it aims at improving the peak power and throwing velocity in ball sports. Researchers have shown a positive result on a player’s performance after conducting heavy strength training(9). Besides, other throw exercise programs have also demonstrated beneficial carry-over effects on throwing velocity in various ball sport players. Despite these performances, medicine ball exercises, proficient to carefully mime the sport-specific activities and motion patterns are highly advocated by the researcher, especially in rotational power sports. However, its influence on throwing velocity in other ball sports such as handball is yet to be clarified since no evidence of positive transfer effects on muscle strength and power(34,35).
Accordingly, from the definition context, precision, or accuracy can be confirmed as an important performance variable since it is linked to sporting success (24). However, the facets can be affected by variables, not limited to anthropometric features such as balance ability, visual skills as well as technique to produce an explosive-ballistic puzzling motion of advanced accuracy. With that regard, it signifies a pertinent measure that needs to be examined when assessing throwing performance besides puzzling velocity. This attests that more information is needed concerning their several influences on puzzling precision, majorly in handball even though some research shows that there are good impressions of diverse training programs on throwing velocity.
Prior studies show that there is an increased puzzling velocity with no effect on throwing precision in ball sports such as cricket and baseball despite conducting speed-based throw training programs and execution of specific strength training methods respectively (12,16). However, there is an assumption that can be drawn from the research since the studies were conducted on male players rather than all gender. Therefore it is evident that female players are less accurate as compared to their counterparts (12). With that regard, it is significant to clarify such a claim by looking at the impact on throwing precision in amateur female players across ball sport within the context of medicine ball training. This is because the facet majorly focuses on enhancing throwing velocity.
From the limitation mentioned earlier, this article seeks to examine the purpose of upper-body rotational strength and thoracic flexibility on ball sport puzzling speed. However, the research will not be limited to cricket. This is because the concept of throwing velocity and precision should be addressed in all ball sports. Furthermore, it is supposed that athletes in possession of higher throwing velocity will show enhanced rotational flexibility and power capabilities. Conducting such a study will allow for insights concerning the purpose of proximal flexibility and power transference In a puzzling task such as cricket ball throw. Besides, the study may be utilized by sports specialists to develop individualized training programs for cricket players as well as other rotational sports athletes.
