Training and competition workloads and fatigue responses of elite junior cricket players.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated key fatigue and workload variables of cricket fast bowlers and nonfast bowlers during a 7-wk physical-preparation period and 10-d intensified competition period.


METHODS
Twenty-six elite junior cricketers (mean ± SD age 17.7 ± 1.1 y) were classified as fast bowlers (n = 9) or nonfast bowlers (n = 17). Individual workloads were measured via global positioning system technology, and neuromuscular function (countermovement jump [relative power and flight time]), endocrine (salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations), and perceptual well-being (soreness, mood, stress, sleep quality, and fatigue) markers were recorded.


RESULTS
Fast bowlers performed greater competition total distance (median [interquartile range] 7049 [3962] m vs 5062 [3694] m), including greater distances at low and high speeds, and more accelerations (40 [32] vs 19 [21]) and had a higher player load (912 [481] arbitrary units vs 697 [424] arbitrary units) than nonfast bowlers. Cortisol concentrations were higher in the physical-preparation (mean ± 90% confidence intervals, % likelihood; d = -0.88 ± 0.39, 100%) and competition phases (d = -0.39 ± 0.30, 85%), and testosterone concentrations, lower (d = 0.56 ± 0.29, 98%), in the competition phase in fast bowlers. Perceptual well-being was poorer in nonfast bowlers during competition only (d = 0.36 ± 0.22, 88%). Differences in neuromuscular function between groups were unclear during physical preparation and competition.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate differences in the physical demands of cricket fast bowlers and nonfast bowlers and suggest that these external workloads differentially affect the neuromuscular, endocrine, and perceptual fatigue responses of these players.
School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University (ACU), Strathfield, NSW, Australia.
Dean J
DJ
McNamara
Tim J
TJ
Gabbett
Geraldine
G
Naughton
Patrick
P
Farhart
Paul
P
Chapman
D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D016526:Workload; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone