Effect of specific core and static stretching training programme on muskuloskeletal flexibility and balance of tripura cricketers

1. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 50-54 © IAEME
50
EFFECT OF SPECIFIC CORE AND STATIC STRETCHING
TRAINING PROGRAMME ON MUSKULOSKELETAL
FLEXIBILITY AND BALANCE OF TRIPURA
CRICKETERS
Dr. Deepak Kumar Dogra
Director (Operation), Laxmibai Sports Education & Welfare Society, New Delhi (INDIA)
ABSTRACT
To determine the effectiveness of 12 weeks specific core and static stretching training
programme on musculoskeletal flexibility and balance among selected Tripura cricketers. Pre test –
post test randomized group design were undertaken for the present study which consist of an
experimental group and control group. Equal number of subjects (n= 30) were assigned randomly to
both the groups. The experimental group was exposed to 12 weeks specific core and static stretching
training programme whereas, no treatment was given to control group. For the purpose of the present
research work a total of 60 Cricketers were randomly selected for the present research work.
Musculoskeletal flexibility and balance was selected as a dependent variable and 12 weeks specific
core and static stretching training programme was considered as an independent variable. The data
was analyzed by applying one tailed t-test was applied to draw appropriate conclusions and to find
out the effect of 12 weeks specific core and static stretching training programme on musculoskeletal
flexibility and balance variables among selected Tripura cricketers. The significance level was set at
0.05. The results indicated that there was significant difference found in experimental group selected
Tripura state cricketers on musculoskeletal flexibility and balance variables in comparison to control
group. The findings of this study showed that 12 weeks specific core and static stretching training
programme was an effective training technique to improve cricketers’ musculoskeletal flexibility and
balance abilities.
Keywords: Specific, Core, Static Stretching, Muskoloskeletal Flexibility, and Balance.
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ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print)
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online)
Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 50-54
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2. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 50-54 © IAEME
51
INTRODUCTION
Aspect of conditioning the young cricketer is the principle of specificity, basically this means
that the best form of conditioning for cricket is actually playing or practicing cricket and it is
obviously important for any cricketer to have good specific levels of fitness as these will compliment
his performance. However, fitness training can never make an average cricketer into an excellent
one, but it will definitely make a good cricketer even better. Some of the drills that we use to
specifically condition the batters involve various forms of shuttle runs. This is specific to the type of
running activity that batters undergo whilst batting. Segmental stability and mobility control of the
core body (i.e., lumbo-pelvic control) as well as flexibility of the body parts accentuate peak
performance and prevent musculoskeletal injury Punjabi, (2003). Improper activation and poor
control of deep trunk muscles (i.e., Transverse Abdominus, Multi Fidus) exist in asymptomatic
individuals showing inability to control lumbo-pelvic stability, which is the early detecting sign for
the back problems (Harrington et. al. 2005 & Standaert et. al. 2008). Remarkably, the dysfunction
and delayed onset of Transverse Abdominus (Hodges, 2001) and atrophy of Multi Fidus (Yoshihara
et. al. 2001) appear in most with low back pain. Consequently, CNS is not able to control these
muscles in feed-forward manner. These changes cause instability of the spine. In addition to
repetitive contraction, muscles will generate pulling stress upon the proximal attachments during
movement which affects directly joints and soft tissues surrounding the spine as a result of strain and
degeneration (Hodges, 2003). Forward bending is a combination of lumbar flexion and pelvic tilting
(Nordin, 2001). Tightness of hamstring muscles may restrict pelvic tilting due to their attachment to
the ischial tuberosity on pelvis (Gajdosik et. al. 1994). Hamstrings tightness and low back flexibility
are also associated with low back pain (Jones et. al. 2002 & Battie et. al. 1990). However,
flexibility and balance are crucial elements of fitness to gain optimal musculoskeletal function
enhancing peak performance (ACSM, 2010).
Hence, the purpose of the present study was to identify the effects of 12 weeks specific core
and static flexibility training programme on musculoskeletal flexibility and balance among selected
Tripura cricketers in order to develop more efficient training tools.
METHODOLOGY
For the purpose of the present research work a total of 60 cricketers were randomly selected.
These subjects had represented Tripura Cricket Association (Affiliation to BCCI) in tournaments.
The age of the subjects were ranging from 19 years to 31 years. The average age was being 25 years.
Musculoskeletal flexibility and balance were selected as a dependent variable and 12 weeks of
specific core and static stretching training programme was considered as an independent variable.
Musculoskeletal flexibility was measured in centimeters rounded off 0.01 centimeter by using
measuring steel tape. Whereas, balance was measured in seconds rounded off 0.01 second by using
electronic digital stop watch (Casio 100-lap). To test musculoskeletal flexibility sit and reach test
was administrated for Tripura cricketers. However, for balance lengthwise and crosswise brass stick
test were administrated. Specific core and static stretching training programme including upper and
lower body were administered three times a week on experimental group subjects at M.B.B. Stadium
in Agartala for a period of 12 weeks (84 days) while the control group underwent only their regular
practice schedule. Before the administration of training programme, sit and reach and brass stick
lengthwise & crosswise test were respectively administrated at same venue on both the group’s
namely experimental group and control group respectively to collect pre test data. After the
completion of 12 weeks training programme again the same musculoskeletal flexibility and balance
tests were conducted to collect the post training data. To analyze the data t-test was computed and
the significance level was set at 0.05.

3. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp.
FINDINGS
The findings of the study are given below:
Table 1.0: Analysis of One tailed t
Variables
Musculoskletal Flexibility
(Centimeters) Experimental
Balance: Lengthwise
(Seconds) Experimental
Balance: Crosswise
(Seconds) Experimental
N = 30
* Significant at .05 level. ‘t’ 0 .05 (29) =1.70
The graphical representation of pre and post test means of
musculoskeletal flexibility (sit and reach
are presented in figure 1.0, 1.1 and
0
5
10
15
20
CONTROLGROUP EXPERIMENTAL
GROUP
Figure – 1.0
Graphical Representationof Mean Differences on Musculoskeletal
Flexibility Test (Sit and each Test)of Selected Control &
Experimental Group
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976
6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 50-54 © IAEME
52
The findings of the study are given below:
One tailed t-test on the Data of Muskuloskeletal flexibility and balance
among Selected Groups
Groups Df Pre-test
Mean
Post-test
Mean
Control 29 18.59 18.37
Experimental 29 12.93 18.16
Control 29 118.28 118.08
Experimental 29 125.49 129.21
Control 29 129.76 129.74
Experimental 29 134.08 137.53
* Significant at .05 level. ‘t’ 0 .05 (29) =1.70
The graphical representation of pre and post test means of control and experimental g
sit and reach test) and balance (brass stick lengthwise and crosswise
and 1.2 respectively.
Graphical Representationof Mean Differences on Musculoskeletal
Flexibility Test (Sit and each Test)of Selected Control &
PRE TEST
POST TEST
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Figure – 1.1
Graphical Representationof Mean Differences on Balance
(Brass Stick: Lengthwise Test) of Selected Control &
Experimental Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
CONTROLGROUP EXPERIMENTAL
GROUP
Figure – 1.2
Graphical Representationof Mean Differences on alance (Brass Stick:
Crosswise Test) of Selected Control & Experimental Group
PRE TEST
POST TEST
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
© IAEME
Muskuloskeletal flexibility and balance
DM ‘t’
-0.22 1.44
5.23 12.26*
-0.20 0.96
3.72 10.28*
-0.02 0.11
3.44 9.24*
control and experimental group for
brass stick lengthwise and crosswise test)
Graphical Representationof Mean Differences on Balance
(Brass Stick: Lengthwise Test) of Selected Control &
PRE TEST
POST TEST

4. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 1, January (2015), pp. 50-54 © IAEME
53
DISCUSSION
The experimental group cricketers were outperformed in muskuloskletal flexibility and
balance (i.e., lengthwise & crosswise) variables respectively and found significant as compared to
control group. This could be due to the fact that the experimental group subjects hence underwent a
with rigorous and regimented fitness regime as prescribed by the researcher 12 weeks specific core
and static stretching training programme in a structured modern infrastructure i.e., indoor stadium
and ultra – modern fitness facilities than their counterparts belonging different districts of the state.
Despite the wide-spread promotion of core exercises as being sports specific. Few studies (Boyle,
2004; Verstegen, 2004; Santana, 2001; Chek, 1999; & Gambetta, 1999) had actually examined
the effectiveness of such exercises on performance measures and the findings of these studies
strongly recommended their specific use for sports conditional abilities. However, Sekendiz et. al.
(2012) also investigated the effects of swiss-ball core training on trunk extensor (abdominal)/flexor
(lower back) and lower limb extensor (quadriceps)/flexor (hamstring) muscular strength, abdominal,
lower back and leg endurance, flexibility and balance in sedentary women and the results of this
study supported the similar fact that swiss-ball core training exercises improve muscular strength,
abdominal, lower back and leg endurance, flexibility and balance.
CONCLUSION
The results indicated that there was a significant improvement had exhibited by experimental group
cricketers on musculoskeletal flexibility and balance after exposed to 12 weeks specific core and
static stretching training programme in comparison to control group subjects. Hence, it is concluded
that specific core and static stretching training programme was an effective training technique to
improve a cricketers’ musculoskeletal flexibility and balance.
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