Effect of Crickfit Intervention Program on Selective Fitness Variables in Amateur Batsmen: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Background: Batsman need to regularly undergo training of multiple components of fitness like strength, reaction time, explosive power and speed when players are engaged at various domestic amateur and professional level competitions. Program supplemented with batsmen specific exercises which is similar to the sports-specific activities at sufficient intensities are important for batsmen to realize greater proportional of their potentials. Crickfit intervention program implemented for 6 weeks including the strength, Upper limb explosive power and reaction time which are important fitness variables in batsmen may have significant improvement in the required specific skills and performance of amateur batsmen. Hence the aim of the study was to find the effect of the crickfit intervention program over conventional exercise on selective fitness variables in amateur batsmen.  Methodology: After the ethical clearance from the IEC, CTRI registration of the trial was done. 47 Amateur Batsmen were screened and 40 were selected as per the eligibility criteria. After obtaining their consent, they were randomised into Group A(n=20) and Group B(n=20) by computer generated randomisation method. Further allocation was done by SNOSE method, Group A received the Crickfit intervention program, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Group B continued their regular exercise program.  Result and Data analysis: Shapiro-Wilk test indicated that data were normally distributed (p<0.05). A parametric test was done to analyse the normally distributed data. Significant difference was found in the experimental group when compared with the conventional group in terms of Reaction time (p=0.008), Explosive power (p<0.001), and Sprint performance (p<0.001) at week 6.  Conclusion: Crickfit intervention program, when implemented for 6 weeks, has shown improvement in Reaction time, Sprint performance and Explosive Power of Upper Limb. Therefore, it is recommended to introduce Crickfit Intervention Program in regular exercise protocol.