title: The role of rotational mobility and power on throwing velocity.
abstract: Sound rotational power and mobility are an integral component in functional performances, such as throwing and striking. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of rotational power and mobility on cricket ball-throwing velocity. Eleven professional cricketers and 10 under-19 club-level cricketers performed the chop and lift, seated and standing cricket ball throw, seated and standing side medicine ball throw, and seated active thoracic rotation range of motion (ROM) and hip rotation ROM on one occasion. Participants were divided into 2 groups (fast and slow) based on their standing cricket ball-throwing velocity. The seated and standing cricket ball throw on the dominant side was significantly different (p < 0.00) between fast and slow throwers (11.03 and 10.7 km·h(-1), respectively). Muscular performance measures, such as bilateral thoracic rotation ROM, hip external rotation ROM on the dominant side, and force and work required in the chop, were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) between fast and slow throwers. Faster throwers in this study displayed greater force (18.4%) and work (31.2%) outputs in the chop compared with the slower throwers; however, slower throwers showed significantly greater ROM in the thoracic (13.4-16.8%) and hip regions (11.8%). It was concluded that greater ROM at proximal segments, such as hips and thoracic, may not increase throwing velocity in cricket as reduced ROM at proximal segments can be useful in transferring the momentum from the lower extremity in an explosive task such as throwing.
authors.affiliation: 1Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand; 2Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand; 3College of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia; 4Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia; and 5High Performance Center, Auckland Cricket Association, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kaushik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Talukdar
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cronin
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zois
authors.forename: Anthony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Sharp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult