Sports Physical Therapy
Conditions
Keywords
Cricket, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stability, Feldenkrais
Brief summary
In the dynamic and physically demanding sport of cricket, players require not only skill but also high levels of agility, balance, and endurance to perform optimally. Traditional training methods may not always address the specific neuromuscular and movement control needs essential for peak performance. Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) and Feldenkrais Method both focuses on body awareness and functional movement, helping athletes increase flexibility, coordination, and adaptability. Understanding how these methods impact athletic performance can aid in developing specialized training strategies for cricket players to optimize overall physical readiness. This study examines the comparative effects of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) and the Feldenkrais Method on agility, balance, and endurance in male cricket players. This single-blinded, randomized clinical trial will recruit 42 male cricket players aged 18-30 from the Tando Muhammad Khan Cricket Club in Pakistan, over a 10-month period post-synopsis approval. Participants will be divided into two groups: Group A performing dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercises, and Group B using the Feldenkrais method. Convenience sampling will select players with at least one year of experience and regular training, excluding those with recent injuries, surgeries, or lower extremity deformities. Agility, balance, and endurance will be assessed using the T-test, Star Excursion Balance Test, and Plank Test, respectively. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 26.
Detailed description
The study's objective is to comparative effects of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercise and the Feldenkrais method on agility, balance and endurance in male cricket players
Interventions
DNS training protocol focuses on improving agility, balance, endurance, and movement control athletes. DNS group protocol involved 5 minutes warm-up 45 minutes DNS exercise and 5 minutes cool-down. The exercise included Baby Rock (supine 90-90), Prone, Rolling, Side Lying, Oblique Sit, Tripod, Kneeling, Squat and Czech Get Up (CGP).
OTHERFeldenkrais Method.
Feldenkrais Method The session begins with a 5-minute warm-up including a body scan to promote relaxation and body awareness. This is followed by 45 minutes of Awareness Through Movement exercises such as pelvic rocking, leg slides, knee hugs, rolling patterns, and standing balance activities to improve flexibility, coordination, and stability. Dynamic movement sequences emphasize proper alignment and smooth, controlled motion. The session concludes with gentle stretching and a 5-minute cool-down with reflection. This protocol enhances flexibility, coordination, and endurance, supporting improved athletic performance.
Sponsors
Riphah International University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male player age between 18 and 30 years' old. * Players with at least 1 years cricket experience. * Players who engage in at least 3 cricket training sessions per week. * Players who have not participated in dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) or Feldenkrais training within the past 6 months.
Exclusion criteria
* Athletes using foot orthoses * Any lower limb muscle injury or trauma in the past 6 months * Had undergone lower limb surgery in the past 1 year * Had lower extremity deformities: pes cavus, pes equinus, hallux valgus. * Had a sign of diagnosis neurological deficit over the lower extremities.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| T-test Agility: | 6 Weeks | The Agility T-test is a widely used assessment of an athlete's ability to change direction quickly and efficiently. It involves sprinting forward, shuffling laterally, and backpedaling between four cones arranged in a "T" shape. The test begins at Cone A, where the athlete sprints to Cone B, touches it, shuffles to Cone C, then to Cone D, returns to Cone B, and backpedals to Cone A, stopping the timer upon crossing Cone A. It effectively measures agility, speed, and body control, and has a high reliability coefficient (r=0.98), making it a trusted tool for evaluating athletic performance in sports requiring quick directional changes. |
| Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) | 6 Weeks | In this test, the subject stands on one leg in the center of an imaginary or taped "star" on the ground with eight lines extending outward at 45-degree angles, resembling a compass. The individual reaches out with the non-stance leg to touch as far along each line as possible while maintaining balance on the stance leg. SEBT has demonstrated high reliability (ICC \> 0.81) in clinical settings, providing consistent measurements for assessing balance capabilities |
| Plank Test for endurance | 6 Weeks | During the exercise, individuals hold a position similar to the top of a push-up, maintaining a straight line from head to heels. Research shows that the plank exercise is a reliable indicator of core endurance, with studies demonstrating high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.96) across various populations. |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORSHOAIB AHMED, MS
Riphah International University
Outcome results
None listed