Effects of Accentuated Eccentric Versus Concentric Training in Fast Bowlers

NCT07440823 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR&AHS/24/0488
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Fast bowlers in cricket rely heavily on upper arm muscle strength, power, and endurance to deliver high-speed balls and prevent injury. Two primary training approaches, accentuated eccentric and concentric training, are widely used to enhance these physical attributes. Accentuated eccentric training focuses on the muscle-lengthening phase under increased loads, while concentric training emphasizes the muscle-shortening phase. This study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of these two training approaches on upper arm muscle girth, strength, and power, providing evidence-based guidance for optimizing fast bowlers' strength and conditioning programs. This randomized clinical trial will investigate the effects of accentuated eccentric versus concentric training on upper arm muscle girth, strength, and power in 44 male fast bowlers aged 18-30 years, who have at least two years of bowling experience. Participants will be randomly assigned in to two groups: Group A, which will undergo an accentuated eccentric training program, and Group B, which will perform concentric-focused training. Both groups will participate in a structured 8-week training regimen with sessions three times per week. Baseline measurements for muscle girth, (measuring tape) strength, (via handheld dynamometer), and power, (measured by medicine ball throw) will be collected and compared with post-intervention assessments. Data will be analyzed using SPSS 26 software

Conditions

Sports Physical Therapy

Keywords

Accentuated eccentric training; Concentric training; Fast bowlers

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Measuring tape

  A measuring tape is a flexible tool used to measure the circumference of body parts, commonly used in physical fitness, sports, and medical assessments. It is an ideal instrument for measuring muscle girth, such as the biceps, triceps, and other body areas, due to its flexibility and ease of use. Measuring tape provides accurate, reliable circumference measurements, enabling the assessment of muscle hypertrophy or body composition changes over time. It provides a direct measure of the circumference of the biceps and triceps at specified points (e.g., midway between the shoulder and elbow)

  8 weeks

• Handled dynamometer

  A handheld dynamometer is a portable device used to measure muscle strength and force output. Commonly utilized in rehabilitation and sports science, it provides objective assessments of muscular strength in various body parts. By applying force against the dynamometer, clinicians can quantify strength levels accurately, track progress, and tailor training programs effectively

  8 weeks

• Medicine ball throw

  The medicine ball throw is a dynamic test used to assess upper body power, specifically targeting the shoulders, chest, triceps, and core muscles. In this test, participants throw a weighted medicine ball (typically 3-5 kg) as far as possible from a standing or seated position. The throw is executed with an explosive pushing motion, similar to a chest pass in basketball, and the distance covered by the ball is measured. For male cricket players, excellent scores 6.0 meters, above-average scores range from 5.0 to 6.0 meters, average scores are between 4.0 and 5.0 meters, and below-average scores fall under 4.0 meters

  8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Group A

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will receive accentuated eccentric exercise training program

Other: Accentuated Eccentric Training; Other: Handled dynamometer

Group B

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will receive concentric exercise training program

Other: Handled dynamometer; Other: Concentric Training

Interventions

Accentuated Eccentric Training OTHER

This group will receive accentuated eccentric exercise training program

Group A

Handled dynamometer OTHER

A handheld dynamometer is a portable device used to measure muscle strength and force output. Commonly utilized in rehabilitation and sports science, it provides objective assessments of muscular strength in various body parts. By applying force against the dynamometer, clinicians can quantify strength levels accurately, track progress, and tailor training programs effectively

Group A; Group B

Concentric Training OTHER

This group will receive concentric exercise training program

Group B

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: At least 2 years of bowling experience
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male fast bowlers age 18-30 years (17)
• Bowlers having 2 years' experience of bowling (18)
• Participants should actively playing or training in fast bowling (19).
• Participants BMI must be between 18.5 and 25.5 Kg/m2 (20)

You may not qualify if:

• Participants with any or chronic injury to the upper limbs, shoulder or back.
• Those who have undergone upper limb surgery within 12 months
• Participants involved any other concentric or strength training program.
• Participants with known cardiovascular or respiratory conditions will be excluded.
• Participants using performance enhancing substances will be excluded

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Dring Stadium Bahawalpur

Chak Four Hundred Fifty-four, Punjab Province, 63100, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Drury B, Clarke H, Moran J, Fernandes JFT, Henry G, Behm DG. Eccentric Resistance Training in Youth: A Survey of Perceptions and Current Practices by Strength and Conditioning Coaches. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021 Feb 18;6(1):21. doi: 10.3390/jfmk6010021.

  PMID: 33670687 BACKGROUND

• Drury B, Ratel S, Clark CCT, Fernandes JFT, Moran J, Behm DG. Eccentric Resistance Training in Youth: Perspectives for Long-Term Athletic Development. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2019 Nov 28;4(4):70. doi: 10.3390/jfmk4040070.

  PMID: 33467385 BACKGROUND

• Pote L, Christie CJ. Strength and Conditioning Practices of University and High School Level Cricket Coaches: A South African Context. J Strength Cond Res. 2016 Dec;30(12):3464-3470. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001432.

  PMID: 27075640 BACKGROUND

• Moeskops S, Oliver JL, Read PJ, Haff GG, Myer GD, Lloyd RS. Effects of a 10-Month Neuromuscular Training Program on Strength, Power, Speed, and Vault Performance in Young Female Gymnasts. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022 May 1;54(5):861-871. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002862. Epub 2022 Jan 24.

  PMID: 35072661 BACKGROUND

• Constable M, Wundersitz D, Bini R, Kingsley M. Quantification of the demands of cricket bowling and the relationship to injury risk: a systematic review. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2021 Sep 10;13(1):109. doi: 10.1186/s13102-021-00335-8.

  PMID: 34507613 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Zainab Dilshad, MS-SPT

  Riphah International

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 23, 2026
• First Posted: February 27, 2026
• Study Start: March 21, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 2, 2025
• Study Completion: November 2, 2025
• Last Updated: February 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)