James Johnstone

Physiologic profile of professional cricketers

Johnstone, JA and Ford, PA. Physiologic profile of professional cricketers. J Strength Cond Res 24(11): 2900-2907, 2010-This study aims to provide a physiologic profile of professional cricketers and note positional differences at the start of the 2007/08 competitive season. Fifteen participants (9 bowlers, 6 batsmen) aged 25.0 ± 5.0 years (mean ± SD) took part in this study. Participants (bowlers and batsmen) completed a series of field-based fitness assessments: body composition (sum of 7 skinfolds, 72.5 ± 16.5 and 65.5 ± 19.3 mm, respectively), flexibility (sit and reach 8.1 ± 10.3 and 6.0 ± 6.2 cm, respectively), predicted maximal oxygen uptake (multistage shuttle run, 54.1 ± 2.8 and 56.1 ± 4.5 ml·kg−1·min−1, respectively), upper- (medicine ball throw, 7.7 ± 0.6 and 7.0 ± 0.1 m, respectively) and lower-body strength (countermovement jump, 45.7 ± 5.8 and 43.9 ± 4.1 cm, respectively), speed (sprint 17.7 m, 2.76 ± 0.6 and 2.77 ± 0.1 s, respectively), and explosive power (repeated jump, 31.0 ± 2.0 and 34.1 ± 4.8 cm, respectively). The data provided the physical fitness profile for each player, which, compared with normative data, identified that this cohort of professional cricketers had some superior fitness parameters compared with the general population, and where applicable, were comparable with other professional athletes. In addition, after effect size calculations, the results showed that some physical fitness differences existed between playing positions. Cricket professionals possess a superior level of physical fitness and strength, and conditioning coaches should seek to progress these physical parameters and further identify position-specific physical requirements to progress the modern game.

The Athletic Profile of Fast Bowling in Cricket : A Review

Cricket is a global sport played in over 100 countries with elite performers attracting multimillion dollar contracts. Therefore, performers maintaining optimum physical fitness and remaining injury free is important. Fast bowlers have a vital position in a cricket team, and there is an increasing body of scientific literature that has reviewed this role over the past decade. Previous research on fast bowlers has tended to focus on biomechanical analysis and injury prevention in performers. However, this review aims to critically analyze the emerging contribution of physiological-based literature linked to fast bowling in cricket, highlight the current evidence related to simulated and competitive in-match performance, and relate this practically to the conditioning coach. Furthermore, the review considers limitations with past research and possible avenues for future investigation. It is clear with the advent of new applied mobile monitoring technology that there is scope for more ecologically valid and longitudinal exploration capturing in-match data, providing quantification of physiological workloads, and analysis of the physical demands across the differing formats of the game. Currently, strength and conditioning specialists do not have a critical academic resource with which to shape professional practice, and this review aims to provide a starting point for evidence in the specific area.

A preliminary analysis of team performance in English first-class Twenty-Twenty (T20) cricket

T20 cricket is becoming the most popular and financially valuable form of the game, yet information related to the performances of winning teams is limited. This preliminary study investigated batting and bowling performance indicators, and additionally employed pitch level analysis to identify micro level variables related to successful outcomes in matches. Several large to moderate effect sizes were noted, including taking wickets (ES=1.64), wickets in last 6 overs (ES=1.44), percentage of runs from boundaries (ES=1.26), lower percentage of runs from boundaries in first 6 overs (ES=0.96,) and run rate (ES=0.90). Pitch map analysis identified bowlers from winning teams seem to take more wickets through LBW decisions, which could be related to a different grouping of deliveries in comparison to non-winning teams. Success in T20 cricket is linked to some obvious performance indicators; taking wickets, especially in the last 6 overs, and scoring runs quickly, principally through boundaries with specific attention to hitting 4s. There appear to be different batting and bowling tactics or skill levels within performers from winning teams, which may increase the likelihood of capturing wickets or scoring boundaries. Mapping of performance indicators across different T20 playing conditions may assist with team preparation and tactical decisions.

Physical inactivity in relation to self-rated eyesight: cross-sectional analysis from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Background To assess the cross-sectional association between self-rated eyesight and physical activity behaviour in a large general population sample of older English adults. Methods Analyses of data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Participants provided information on self-rated eyesight (categorised as: excellent/very good/good/fair–poor) and their own physical activity levels (categorised as: inactive/moderate only at least 1/week, vigorous at least 1/week). Associations between self-rated eyesight and physical activity levels were examined using logistic regression. Results A total of 6634 participants (mean age 65.0±9.2 years) were included in the analyses. In adjusted logistic regression models, those with fair–poor and good eyesight were significantly more likely to be inactive than those who reported excellent eyesight (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.58 to 2.72; OR 1.59, 1.27 to 1.99, respectively). Conclusion In this sample of older English adults, those with self-rated fair–poor vision were over twice as likely to be physically inactive than those who reported having excellent vision. When consistent data have emerged, interventions to increase physical activity in those who have poor eyesight are needed.

Coaches' perceptions of the potential use of performance analysis in badminton

Despite performance analysis’ proliferation as part of the coaching process, there remains a dearth of literature examining coaches’ perceptions of its use. Equally, a distinct gap in literature exists examining the use of performance analysis in the context of badminton. This study aimed to address these issues through an exploration of badminton coaches’ perceptions of the potential use of performance analysis in their coaching process. After analysing three badminton players’ performance using objective video data, in depth individualised performance profiles were created. These were presented to seven badminton coaches, who were interviewed as to their perceptions of the utility of this analysis. Interview transcripts were analysed via content analysis, revealing that all bar one of the coaches directly praised the analysis undertaken and it’s potential to aid coaching performance. Specifically, the majority of coaches praised the usefulness of the performance profiles as part of the wider coaching process, citing the ability to compare objective data to the performers own perceptions as particularly valuable. In this study the possible use of performance analysis in badminton was mostly well received by coaches, and this implicates it as a potentially key component in improving coach and athlete performance in an evolving coaching process.

Correlates of children's independent outdoor play: Cross-sectional analyses from the Millennium Cohort Study

Time spent outdoors is associated with higher levels of physical activity. To date, correlates of independent outdoor play have not been investigated. This study aimed to identify potential demographic, behavioural, environmental and social correlates of childrens independent outdoor play. Data were from the Millennium Cohort Study when children were aged 7 years. Parents reported whether their children played out unsupervised (yes/no) as well as the above mentioned correlates of unsupervised outdoor play. Childrens physical activity levels were measured using waist worn accelerometry. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine associations between correlates and odds of independent (unsupervised) outdoor play. Adjusted multiple linear regression was used to estimate associations between independent outdoor play and objective measures of physical activity. Activity was measured as average daily moderate-to-vigorous activity, steps, and sedentary behaviour. 3856 (n = 29%) participants were categorised as engaging in independent outdoor play. Older age, being white British, being in poverty, living in close proximity to both family friends and family, having fewer internalising problems, having more externalising conduct problems and fewer pro-social behaviours were associated with higher odds of independent outdoor play. Independent outdoor play was associated with > 2 additional minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity (B = 2.21 95% CI, 1.09 to 3.34), > 330 additional steps per day (B = 336.66 95% CI 209.80 to 463.51), and nearly 5 min less time spent sedentary per day (B = − 4.91 95% CI − 7.54, − 2.29) Younger children, those from a higher socio-economic-status, those isolated in location from family friends and family, and those with high levels of prosocial behaviour have lower levels of independent outdoor play. Independent outdoor play was associated with higher levels of physical activity and less time sedentary. Future interventions to promote independent outdoor play should target such populations.

Physiological and training characteristics of recreational marathon runners

Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the physical and training characteristics of recreational marathon runners within finish time bandings (2.5–3 h, 3–3.5 h, 3.5–4 h, 4–4.5 h and >4.5 h). Materials and methods A total of 97 recreational marathon runners (age 42.4 ± 9.9 years; mass 69.2 ± 11.3 kg; stature 172.8 ± 9.1 cm), with a marathon finish time of 229.1 ± 48.7 min, of whom n = 34 were female and n = 63 were male, completed an incremental treadmill test for the determination of lactate threshold (LT1), lactate turn point (LT2) and running economy (RE). Following a 7-min recovery, they completed a test to volitional exhaustion starting at LT2 for the assessment of V˙O2max. In addition, all participants completed a questionnaire gathering information on their current training regimes exploring weekly distances, training frequencies, types of sessions, longest run in a week, with estimations of training speed, and load and volume derived from these data. Results Training frequency was shown to be significantly greater for the 2.5–3 h group compared to the 3.5–4 h runners (P < 0.001) and >4.5 h group (P = 0.004), while distance per session (km·session−1) was significantly greater for the 2.5–3 h group (16.1 ± 4.2) compared to the 3.5–4 h group (15.5 ± 5.2; P = 0.01) and >4.5 h group (10.3 ± 2.6; P = 0.001). Race speed correlated with LT1 (r = 0.791), LT2 (r = 0.721) and distance per session (r = 0.563). Conclusion The data highlight profound differences for key components of marathon running (V˙O2max, LT1, LT2, RE and % V˙O2max) within a group of recreational runners with the discriminating training variables being training frequency and the absolute training speed.

Prospective associations between measures of gross and fine motor coordination in infants and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior in childhood

Abstract One important determinant of childhood physical activity and sedentary behavior may be that of motor development in infancy. The present analyses aimed to investigate whether gross and fine motor delays in infants were associated with objective and self-reported activity in childhood. Data were from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, a prospective cohort study, involving UK children born on or around the millennium (September 2000 and January 2002). When children were 9 months old, parents reported childrens fine and gross motor-coordination, and at 7 years, sports club attendance and daily TV viewing time. Childrens physical activity was measured using accelerometers at 7 years. Adjusted regression models were used to examine associations between delayed motor development and accelerometry measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior, and parent-reported sport club attendance and TV viewing time. In this sample (n = 13,021), gross motor delay in infancy was associated with less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (B −5.0 95% confidence interval [CI] −6.8, −3.2) and more time sedentary (B 13.5 95% CI 9.3, 17.8) in childhood. Gross and fine motor delays during infancy were associated with a reduced risk of having high attendance at sports clubs in childhood (both relative risk [RR] 0.7, 95% CI 0.6, 0.9). Fine motor delays, but not gross delays, were also associated with an increased risk of having high TV viewing time (RR 1.3 95% CI 1.0, 1.6). Findings from the present study suggest that delays in motor development in infancy are associated with physical activity and sedentary time in childhood.

Work rates of international hockey umpires

Abstract In recent years, a number of significant changes have occurred to the rules of international hockey, but no evaluation has taken place of the effect this has had on the demands placed upon match officials. The present study assessed match demands placed on elite male and female hockey officials. A total of 10 male and 11 female officials were “tracked” using Global Positioning System receivers for 66 international matches. Data extracted from receivers included metrics for distances covered during the game and while engaged in high-intensity running (HIR), as well as characteristics of each individual effort. Differences between sex and time periods were assessed using Kruskal–Wallis tests. The study found few meaningful differences (p < .05) between male and female officials for match characteristics such as total distance covered and time spent engaged in HIR, or in individual effort characteristics such as frequency of HIR and distance covered during each HIR effort. However, all significant findings showed only small to medium effect sizes for sex and match time. Findings from the present study suggest that the current guidelines available to international officials should be re-evaluated and a removal of sex differences considered.