Medicine Ball Throw and Resistance Band Training Among Bowlers

Study Design: Randomized Clinical Trial Sample size: 56 participants ( 28 in each group) Sampling Technique: Non- Probability convenience sampling technique Study Setting: Pakistan Sports Board, Lahore And Saeed Ajmal International Cricket Academy, Faisalabad & County Star Cricket Club, Faisalabad

Inclusion criteria

• Cricket bowlers actively participating in competitive cricket
• Age 18 to 30 years
• Both male and female players
• Minimum two years of cricket training experience
• Athletes with BMI between 18.6 kg/m² to 24.9 kg/m²

Exclusion criteria

• History of musculoskeletal injuries involving shoulder, elbow, neck, or spine
• History of fracture within the last six months
• Any previous surgery of the back or hip joint
• Athletes with neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, or psychiatric disorders
• Athletes consuming illegal performance-enhancing drugs

Intervention:

Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups. Group A will receive Medicine Ball Throw training focusing on chest pass, overhead throw, and rotational throw exercises to improve dynamic strength and explosive power. Group B will receive Resistance Band training including resistance band push-ups, rowing exercises, and rotational press exercises to enhance neuromuscular control and strength. Both groups will perform supervised training sessions three times per week, with each session lasting approximately 45-50 minutes for a total duration of eight weeks. Bowling accuracy drills will be included for both groups during training sessions.

Tools:

• Medicine Ball Chest Pass / Overhead Throw Test to assess dynamic upper-body strength
• Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) to assess upper-extremity stability and endurance
• Bowling speed measurement using a speed measuring device
• Bowling accuracy assessed using a standardized stump accuracy test

Inclusion criteria

• Male/female cricket players aged 18 to 30 years
• Actively participating in regular cricket training
• Minimum of two years of playing experience
• Free from upper limb injury at the time of recruitment
• Willingness to participate and provide informed consent -

Exclusion criteria

• History of upper limb, shoulder, elbow, or wrist injury in the past six months
• Any current musculoskeletal injury affecting performance
• History of surgery involving the upper extremity
• Presence of any neurological, cardiovascular, or systemic condition that may affect performance
• Participation in any other structured strength training program during the study period