Shoulder Internal Rotator Strengthening vs. Muscle Energy Technique for Shoulder External Rotators on Bowling Speed in Fast Bowlers Playing Cricket- A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The shoulder joint is the most complex joint in the human body, the most mobile and least stable in relation to other joints. In bowling, using the upper extremity in the throwing motion is one of the most challenging tasks. In order to generate a precise throw, the numerous anatomical components involved in the overhead throwing motion must be coordinated. Shoulder muscular strength is a key component of excellent bowling, and the strength of various shoulder muscle groups influences bowling speed. Therefore, it is essential that bowling players exert strength in their performance. This lacks bone stability and sacrifices stability to increase mobility. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the effects of strengthening the shoulder internal rotators and the muscular energy technique of the shoulder external rotators on bowling speed in fast cricket players. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Participating rapid cricket players from sports field aged 18-30 years, were recruited and then randomly allocated into two groups: strengthening group and MET group. The strengthening group received muscle strengthening for the internal rotators of the shoulder and the MET group received the muscle energy technique for the external rotators. All the exercise interventions was involved physiotherapist supervision session with 12 repetitions and 3 sets 5 days per week up to eight weeks. Range of motion was measured by goniometer instrument and bowling speed was assessed by speed gun. All outcomes were assessed at baseline, 2nd week, 4th week and 8th week after the intervention with ANOVA of repeated measures. RESULTS: Of the 30 participants evaluated, the mean age, height, weight and BMI were, respectively, 21.40±2.36 years old, 1.74±0.09m, 71.80±16.77kg and 23.57±4.20Kg/m2 for the strengthening group and 22.53±1.55 years old, 1.70±0.04m, 62.47±8.02kg, 21.49±2.63Kg/m2 for the MET group.There was a statistically significant difference for all outcomes regarding the measured times between the two intervention groups. However, in the strengthening group, there was a greater effect size for internal rotation ROM (1.99 in the strengthening group versus 1.42 in the MET group) and for bowling speed (1.52 versus 1.39). External rotation ROM had a greater effect size in the MET group (1.66 for the MET group and 1.16 for the strengthening group). CONCLUSIONS: The result of study concludes that a significant improvement in shoulder internal rotators and external rotators strength leads to improve bowling speed, so the shoulder strength training protocol and muscle energy training can be incorporated for increasing the speed of the bowler.