Influence of Plyometric Training and Strength Training on Sprinting Performance of the Cricketers

Sprinting is the athlete's ability to combine the actions of arms, legs and trunk within a very short time. Strength training is one of the key elements in a sprinters training schedule. Plyometric training usually proved to be an effective method for improving movement performances. As speed and strength are inherently interrelated our objective was to determine the effects of plyometric training and strength training protocol on the sprinting performances of the elite cricketers

Stop watch, inch tape, quadriceps exerciser, hamstring exerciser, leg press, thera band, bar bell, dumb-bells,stair exerciser, swiss ball were used in this study.

There were three experimental groups out of which two were training groups (the high resistance group and the plyometric group) and the third was a control group. 30 subjects performed an all out, 50 meters, and 100meters sprint prior and subsequent to the training period. Running time was calculated with the help of stopwatch.

Paired t-Test was used to test the differences between the pre and post test scores. For all statistics, significance was set at p<0.05. In hundred meters sprint, plyometric group shows definite improvement (t=14.960). Strength group shows insignificant improvement (t=7.906) in hundred meters sprint. Plyometric group shows definite improvement in 50 mtr sprint(t=15.409). Strength group does not show any improvement in 50 mtr sprint.

Plyometric training group showed most significant improvement in sprint performance (50-meter and 100-meter). Thus, we can conclude that plyometric training has more potential to improve sprint performance when compared with the strength training in the cricket players.