Influence of segmental joint angle and flexion at delivery stride on pace bowling in cricket

Abstract

Introduction: Body segments are considered to be rigid bodies for the purposes of describing the motion of the body. Joint angle (also called inter-segmental angle) is simply the angle between the two segments on either side of the joint, usually measured in degrees. Bowling, in cricket, is the action of propelling the ball towards the wicket with the help of this segmental force.Methodology: For the purpose of conducting the study, eight male pace bowlers, medium to medium-fast, were purposively selected from various first division club of Kolkata league under C.A.B., age ranging from 20 to 30 years. Ball release velocity, selected segmental angles i.e. Ankle joint angle, Knee joint angle and Hip joint angle at front foot contact, same segmental angles at the time of ball release and the flexions of those joints from front foot contact (FFC) to ball release (BR) were considered as the variables for the study. The bowling delivery actions of the selected bowlers were recorded using two video camera which were stabilised on the tripods. The video was analysed by using the Kinovea-0.8.24 motion analysis software. Mean, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation tests were employed to analyse the data statistically. Results and Discussion: The statistical analysis revealed that the selected segmental joint angles (Ankle joint angle, Knee joint angle and Hip joint angle) at front foot contact were positively correlated with Ball Release Velocity whereas the same segmental angles at ball Release were found to be negatively correlated with Ball Release Velocity. At the same way, flexions of all three joints from FFC to BR are also positively correlated with ball release velocity. Among the all parameters, only Hip joint angle at Ball Release (r= -0.753) and hip flexion from FFC to BR (r= 0.746) were found to be significantly correlated with the Ball Release Velocity. Conclusions: From the result and discussion, it may be concluded easily that lesser hip joint angle at the time of ball release and greater hip flexion from front foot contact to ball release, can help the pace bowlers to maximise their ball release velocity.