Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences s115

Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka

Curriculum Development Cell Confirmation for Registration of Subjects for Dissertation

Registration No : Name of the Candidate : Ms. MARIA ALISHA RODRIGUES Address : H. NO- 615 Alison Mansion 3rd Fradilem Navelim Salcete –Goa. Name of the Institution : S. D. M. College Of Physiotherapy, Dharwad. Course of study and subject : Masters in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Sports Physiotherapy.

Date of admission to course : 15th July 2013.

Title of the topic : “A COMPARATIVE STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PLYOMETRICS ALONE AND PLYOMETRICS WITH WEIGHT TRAINING ON IMPROVING THE AGILITY AND POWER IN LOWER LIMB PERFORMANCE AMONG COLLEGE LEVEL CRICKET PLAYERS.” Brief resume of the intended work : Attached Signature of the Student :

Guide Name : Dr. Sunil K M Remarks of the Guide :

Signature of the Guide : Co-Guide Name : -- Signature of the Co-guide : --

H. O. D. Name : Dr. RAVI SAVADATTI Signature of H. O. D.

Principal Name : Dr. RAVI SAVADATTI Principal Mobile No. : 09845051209 E-mail ID : [email protected]

Remarks of the Principal : Principal Signature

1 (A) BRIEF RESUME OF THE STUDY

INTRODUCTION

Success in many sports depends heavily upon the athlete's explosive leg power and muscular strength. In jumping, throwing, track and field events and other activities, the athlete must be able to use strength as quickly and forcefully as possible. This display comes in the form of speed-strength or power.1

Power represents the amount of work a muscle can produce per unit of time. An increase in power gives the athlete the possibility of improved performance in sports in which the improvement of the speed-strength relationship is sought.2

Strength training is also an important aspect for athletes in sports. Strength training is synonymous with the term resistance training and is defined as a specialised form of conditioning that is used to increase one’s ability to produce or resist force. Strength training uses the principle of progressive overload to force the body to adapt in order to able to produce and /or resist larger forces. Strength training is a tool to augment sport performance through improved strength and motor performance.

Several studies used plyometric training and have shown that it improves power output and increases explosiveness by training the muscles to do more work in a shorter amount of time. This is accomplished by optimizing the stretch-shortening cycle, which occurs when the active muscle switches from rapid eccentric muscle action (deceleration) to rapid concentric muscle action (acceleration). The rapid eccentric movement creates a stretch reflex that produces a more forceful concentric muscle action than could otherwise be generated from a resting position. The faster the muscle is stretched, the greater the force produced, and the more powerful the muscle movement . 3

Plyometric exercises that exploit the stretch-shortening cycle have been shown to enhance the performance of the concentric phase of movement and increase power output. PT includes performance of various types of body weight jumping-type exercise, like drop jumps (DJs), countermovement jumps (CMJs), alternate-leg bounding, hopping and other SSC jumping exercises .4

Plyometric drills usually involve stopping, starting, and changing directions in an explosive manner. These movements are components that can assist in developing agility. Agility is the 2 ability to maintain or control body position while quickly changing direction during a series of movements. Agility training is thought to be a re-enforcement of motor programming through neuromuscular conditioning and neural adaptation of muscle spindles, golgi-tendon organs, and joint proprioceptors.

Agility training objectives and plyometric activities have been used in sports such as football, tennis, soccer or other sporting events that agility may be useful for their athletes. By enhancing balance and control of body positions during movement, agility theoretically should improve.5

Illinois Agility Test reliability was established by developing standardized instructions and implementation methods. The Illinois agility test is found to be reliable measures of agility between the ages of 18 and 40 yr. Establishing the reliability of these additional measures provides the clinician with a clinical tool that assesses uniplanar, biplanar, and multiplanar movements, thus creating a comprehensive assessment of agility.6

Jumping is a complex multi-joint action that demands not only force production but also a high power output. Numerous investigators have underlined the significance of maximal rate of force development in the improvement of explosive jumping performance. Plyometric training has been advocated for sports that require the athletes to have explosiveness and an increased vertical jumping ability.7

Vertical jumping constitutes an integral component of explosive performance in numerous athletic activities. As such, jumping ability is crucial in the execution of many athletic skills, such as rebounding in basketball, spiking in volleyball, and high jumping. Therefore, it is important to determine the parameters involved in vertical jumping and develop them through proper training regimens.

The vertical jump test to measure the jumping mechanical power. This test was preferred because it takes advantage of to potential for using elastic energy storage as well as chemical mechanical energy conversion. This test has shown to have high validity (compared to the Wingate test, 0.87) and reliability(test- restest 0.95) coefficients.8,9

Cricket is one of the world’s major team sports in terms of regular international games. It is a bat-and-ball sport similar to the game of baseball, generally played outdoors on natural grass fields. At social levels, cricket produces relatively few injuries, but at elite levels injuries are quite common primarily due to higher intensity of matches and Workloads .Today elite sportspeople are expected to train longer, Harder, and earlier in life to excel in their chosen sport. The Modern cricketer is no exception. The demands placed on the cricketer are further increased because of the repetitive nature of the game, often for long periods of time. The cricket players have to be quick between the wickets (running between wickets to get maximum runs). These players need to be agile and quick as well as coordinated to take the catches.10

Weight training has been able to improve vertical jumping performance in most cases by with lighter more explosive lifts being more effective than the heavier and slower lifts.1

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

Plyometrics is simply a set of drills designed to stimulate the series elastic component over and over again – preferably during movements that mimic those in the athlete’s sport. A wide variety of training studies shows that plyometrics can improve performance in vertical jumping, long jumping, sprinting and sprint cycling.11

Cricketers, like any athlete today, are expected to train harder, for longer, and to commence at an earlier age, if they are to succeed at the elite level. It is therefore not surprising that physicians are diagnosing an increasing number of overuse injuries, as the hours of repetitious practice produce a gradual deterioration in the functional capacity of the body. Training, technique, footwear, surface, rehabilitation, warm-up and conditioning are all factors which can contribute to overuse injuries. Bowling (40%) and fielding and wicket-keeping (33%) accounted for the majority of the injuries, with batting accounting for 17% of the injuries sustained. Of the bowling injuries, 55% were lower-limb injuries and 33% were back and trunk injuries. Of the 39 stress fractures, 79% were overuse bowling injuries, with the younger players sustaining 74% of the stress fractures. The primary mechanism of injury was the delivery and follow-through of the fast bowler (25%), running, diving, catching and throwing the ball when fielding (23%) and overuse (17%). Untrained college level athletes are more prone to these injuries.Hence, we believe that plyometrics and weight training can be used as a part of training regime to reduce the risk of sustaining the above injuries. 12

The comparison of plyometric exercises and weight-training protocols has produced controversial results. The combination of plyometric exercises and weight training increased , maintained or unaffected vertical jumping performance. Adams et al. suggested that this combination may provide a more powerful training stimulus for the vertical jumping performance than either weight training or plyometric training alone.1,13,14

There has been no conclusion made regarding the relative effectiveness of plyometric training and weight training or the combination of both in the development of vertical jump ability. As far as we know, there have been no studies done to compare plyometric versus plyometric weight training for agility. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to determine how vertical jump performance and agility are affected by a typical 6-week plyometric training program and a combination of plyometric and weight training.

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES:

Null hypothesis (H0): There will be no significant improvement in lower limb performance outcome measures between plyometrics alone and plyometric weight training program.

Alternate hypothesis (H1): There will be significant improvement in lower limb performance outcome measures between plyometrics alone and plyometric weight training program.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE:-

GD Myer, KR Ford, JL Brent, TE Hewett ,conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of plyometric vs balance training on strength and balance.The results of this study suggest that both Plyometrics and Balance training are effective at increasing measures of neuromuscular power and control. A combination of Plyometrics and Balance training may further maximize the effectiveness of preseason training for athletes.15

In a study conducted by Michael G. Miller et al. on 28 subjects to determine if six weeks of plyometric training can improve an athlete’s agility . All subjects participated in two agility tests, T test and Illinois test. The results of this study showed that the plyometric training can be an effective technique to improve an athlete’s agility.16

Study done by Bartholomeu SA, to determine the effects of plyometrics on vertical jump performance have concluded that relatively small amount of plyometric training is required to improve performance in these tasks. Just one or two types of plyometric exercise completed 1-3 times a week for 6-12 weeks can significantly improve motor performance.17

Christos Kotzamanidis conducted a study to evaluate the effect of plyometric training on running performance and vertical jumping in prepubertal boys. . In this study 30 healthy non athletic boys participated. The finding of this study was that applied plyometric training programme resulted in an improvement in the vertical jump in preadolescents.18

A study conducted by Parsons L.S. and Jones M.T. using both T-test and Illinois agility test, found a positive relationship between plyometric training and improvement of both agility tests.19

A study done by Adams K, O'Shea JP, O'Shea Kl and Climstein M, to determine the effect of 6- week plyometric training, squat and squat plyometric programme. The result of this study contributes to improvements in acceleration, leg strength, muscular power, increased joint awareness and overall proprioception.14

A study done by Mark Vaczi et al , the aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a short term in season plyometric training program on power, agility and knee extensor strength. He conducted this study on male soccer players, this program included two training sessions per week and maximal intensity unilateral and bilateral plyometric exercises. The results of this study indicate that plyometric training consisting of high impact unilateral and bilateral exercises induced remarkable improvements in lower extremity power and maximal knee extensor strength and smaller improvements in soccer specific agility.20

Avery D. Faigenbaum et al. conducted a study to compare the effects of a six week training period of combined plyometric and resistance training or resistance training alone on fitness performance in boys aged 12 to 15years.This study concluded that the addition of plyometric training to a resistance training program may be more beneficial than resistance training and static stretching for enhancing selected measures of upper and lower body power in boys.21

According to a study done by Vladan Milic et al on cadet volleyball players , to determine the effects of a 6 week plyometric training program on the explosive strength of these volleyball players on single foot and two foot takeoff jumps. The study found a statistically significant difference in explosive strength in favour of the experimental group. This study also determined an increase in the explosive strength for the two foot and single foot take off jumps.22

A study conducted by Paul E. L to examine the effects of 2 plyometric training programs, equalized for training volume followed by a four week recovery period of no plyometric training on aerobic power and vertcal jump performance. The results of this study was 4 week and 7 week plyometric program are equally effective for improving vertical jump height, vertical jump power and anaerobic power , and anaerobic power when followed by 4 week recovery period.2

According to a study done by Ioannis G. Fatouros et al. to compare the effects of 3 different training protocols – plyometric training , weight training and their combination on selected parameters of vertical jump performance and leg strength. The results of this study showed that all training treatments elicited significant improvements in all tested variables. However the training combination group produced improvements in vertical jump performance and leg strength that were significantly greater than improvements in the other 2 training groups.23

A study done by R Rahimi, N Behpur provides support for the use of a combination of traditional weight training and plyometric drills to improve the vertical jumping ability and explosive performance in the leg strength.1

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of plyometrics alone and plyometric weight training on improving the agility and power in lower limb performance among college level cricket players.

B) PROCEDURE, METHOD AND MATERIALS:

SOURCE OF DATA COLLECTION: College level male cricket players of SDM Society institutes in Dharwad.

METHOD OF COLLECTION OF DATA: Subjects will be briefed about the study after their consent will be taken. Subjects will undergo a physical examination. Each subject will undergo measurements of his vertical jumping performance and agility. Training in the form of plyometrics and weight training will be done for 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks.1 The outcome measures used are vertical jump height to assess the power and Illinois test to assess the agility of the subjects.

MATERIALS:

Data collection sheet.

Exercise protocol handouts. Boxes Consent form.

Stop watch.

Cones.

Measuring tape.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Male cricket college level players

Age group between 18-26 years.

Players willing to participate in the study.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Female players

Cricket players on medications like muscle relaxants

Cricket players who are involved in any type of plyometric training at the time of study. Cricket players with any recent fracture or lower limb injury

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized trial. STUDY DURATION: 1 year

SAMPLE SIZE: sample size of 80 subjects will be included in the study. They will be allocated into two study groups i.e. study group A and study group B, using sealed opaque envelopes by a therapist. Sample size was decided based on an article by Cristos Kotzamanidis.18 By assuming, “power of test” = 0.80 “effect size”= “p value”=8.1 “q value”=91.9

Substituiting the above values in the following formula :

2 N = 2 (Zα + Zβ) x pq/(p1 – p2

Where, p1 =14.77

p2=1.43 α=0.05 Zα=1.96 Zβ=0.84 Hence the minimum sample size required in each group is 40.

PROCEDURE: Participants will be included in the study only after completing the inclusion and exclusion criteria and a written consent forms will be taken from each participant. The participants will be allocated in Group A and Group B using sealed opaque envelopes by a therapist. Prior to the study, procedures and guidelines will be presented orally and in written forms. Plyometrics will be performed only twice per week for 6 weeks to allow for sufficient recovery between workouts as recommended by the researchers. During the study all participants will be under direct supervision and will be instructed on how to perform each exercise. Training procedure- Group A -, The subjects in the plyometric group performed four plyometric drills – the Depth jump, the split squat, the Rim jump, the Box to box depth jump.

Depth jump – Stand on the box, toes close to the front edge. Step from the box and drop to land on both feet. Try to anticipate the landing and spring up as quickly as you can. Keep the body from ''settling'' on the landing, and make the ground contact as short as possible.

Split squat – The split squat is a stable exercise where the member takes up the position with hands behind the head, take a stride forwards and slightly out to the side, keeping the back straight, drop the hips directly down to the floor, the front knee should not go past your toes, pause when the back knee is just above the floor, push up off the front foot to split stance at the start.

Rim jump- Spread the feet far apart, front to back, and bend the front leg 90 degrees at the hip and 90 degrees at the knee. Jump up; using arms to help lift, hold the split-squat position. Land in the same position and immediately repeat the jump.

Box-to-Box depth Jumps- A row of boxes (all the same height, dependent on ability). Stand in a deep-squat position with feet shoulder-width apart at the end of the row of boxes. Jump to the first box, landing softly in a squat position. Maintaining the squat position, jump off the box on the other side and immediately onto and off of the following boxes. Keep hands on the hips, or behind the head.

Progression of plyometrics ( week 1- week 6) Week 1- training one and two, intensity 60% Depth Jump 2 sets of 8 repetitions; box height 50 cm Split Squat Jump 2 sets of 8 repetitions Rim Jumps 2 sets of 7 repetitions Box-to-Box depth Jumps 2 sets of 4 boxes, box height 40 cm

Week 2- training three and four, intensity 70% Depth Jump 2 sets of 10 repetitions; box height 60 cm Split Squat Jump 2 sets of 9 repetitions Rim Jumps 2 sets of 8 repetitions Box-to-Box depths Jumps 2 sets of 4 boxis, boxheight 50 cm

Week 3- training five – six, intensity 80% Depth Jump 3 sets of 10 repetitions; box height 70 cm Split Squat Jump 3 sets of 10 repetitions Rim Jumps 3 sets of 9 repetitions Box-to-Box depths Jumps 3 sets of 4 boxes, box height 50 cm

Week 4- training eight and nine, intensity 90% Depth Jump 3 sets of 10 repetitions; box height 80 cm Split Squat Jump 3 sets of 12 repetitions Rim Jumps 3 sets of 11 repetitions Box-to-Box depths Jumps 3 sets of 4 boxes, box height 50 cm

Week 5- training 10 and 11, intensity 70% Depth Jump 3 sets of 10 repetitions; box height 60 cm Split Squat Jump 3 sets of 9 repetitions Rim Jumps 3 sets of 8 repetitions Box-to-Box depths Jumps 4 sets of 4 boxes, box height 60 cm

Week 6- training 12 – 14, intensity 80% Depth Jump 3 sets of 10 repetitions; box height 70 cm Split Squat Jump 3 sets of 10 repetitions Rim Jumps 3 sets of 9 repetitions Box-to-Box depths Jumps 3 sets of 4 boxes, box height 50 cm 24

Group B - The plyometric-weight training group performed a combination of the two training programs (plyometric and weight training program). The plyometrics included the depth jump, split squat jump, the rim jump and box to box depth jump, progression same as Group A and the weight training program –that comprised of squat ,leg press and leg extension. The training programs were designed to overload the leg muscles involved in the vertical jumping motion and explosive performance.

Progression of weight training Complex First 3 Second 3 Third 3 Fourth 3 training sessions sessions sessions sessions Squat #4*8 (30%) 4*8(45%) 4*6 (60%) 3*6 (75%) 60sec 60sec 50sec 40sec Leg press 4*8 (30%) 4*8(45%) 4*6 (60%) 3*6 (75%) 60sec 60sec 50sec 40sec Leg extension 4*8 (30%) 4*8(45%) 4*6 (60%) 3*6 (75%) 60sec 60sec 50sec 40sec # sets*reps at (percentage of 1 RM) rest time between sets.1

Testing procedure- A vertical jump test was completed from a 2-foot standing position without a step into the jump. The subjects were allowed to use their hands as they desired. Three test jumps were completed, and the highest of these was recorded. This test was selected because it has high validity (0.80) and reliability (0.93) coefficients and because it allows arm movement and a squat motion before the jump, such as those performed in sports. 25

Illinois Agility test - The length of the test was originally set at 30 ft, which was increased slightly to 10 m for ease of test administration. The course was marked by cones, with four center cones spaced 3.3 m apart and four corner cones positioned 2.5 m from the center cones. The participant began the test lying prone on the floor behind the starting line with his arms at his side and his head turned to the side or facing forward. On the command, the participant ascended to his feet and ran or moved quickly forward to the first tape mark. Participants were required to touch or cross the tape mark with their foot. The participant turned around and moved back to the first center cone, where he weaved up and back through the four center cones. The participant then ran or moved as quickly as possible to the second tape mark on the far line. Again, participants were required to touch or cross the end-line tape marks with their foot. Lastly, the participant turned around and ran or moved as quickly as possible across the finish line. The time to complete each trial was recorded in seconds.

Prior to training, all subjects will have their baseline agility tested using this test. A maximum of 3mins rest will be given between each repetitions. The test will be explained and demonstrated. Before testing all participants will be given practice trials to become familiar with the test procedure. This test will be counterbalanced pre and post testing to ensure that testing effects would minimize. Subjects will perform the test 3times and the average of the results will be noted. The time duration will be taken pre and post test using a stopwatch.26

OUTCOME MEASURES The power of lower extremity: vertical jump height.

Agility: Illinois agility test, to determine ability to accelerate, decelerate, turn in different directions and run at different angles.

STASTISTICAL TEST: Paired t –test: for within group comparison for all outcome parameters Independent t- test: for inter group comparison for all outcome measures.

DOES THE STUDY REQUIRE ANY INVESTIGATION OR INTERVENTION TO BE CONDUCTED ON PATIENTS OR OTHER HUMANS OR ANIMALS? YES:

ETHICAL CLEARENCE HAS BEEN OBTAINED BY YOU? : YES

LIST OF REFERENCE:

1. Rahimil R, Behpur N. The effects of plyometric, weight and plyometric-weight training on anaerobic power and muscular strength. Physical Education and sport. 2005; 3(1):81-91.

2. Luebbers PE, Potteiger JA, Hulver MW, Thyfault JP, Carper MJ, Lockwood RH. Effects of Plyometric Training and Recovery on Vertical Jump Performance and Anaerobic Power. J Strength Cond Res. 2003; 17(4):704–9.

3. Asmussen E. Apparent efficiency and storage of elastic energy in skeletal muscles in man. Acta Phys. Scand 1974 Jul;91(3):385-92.

4. Bosco C. Considerations of the training of elastic potential of human skeletal muscle. Volleyball Tech.J. 1982;1:75–80.

5. Ha Kkinen K and Komi PV. Changes in electrical and mechanical behaviour of leg extensor muscles during heavy resistance strength training. Scand.J. Sports Sci. 1985;7:55–64.

6. Sheppard JM, Young WB. Agility literature review: Classifications, training and testing. 2005 Nov 4.

7. Poole W, Maneval M. The effects of two ten week depth jumping routines on vertical jump performance as it relates to leg power. J. Swim. 1987;3:11–14.

8. Schmidtbleicher D. Training for power events. In: Strength and Power in Sport. P.V. Komi, ed. Boston: Blackwell Scientific Publishers 1992;381–95.

9. Bosco C, Komi PV, Thihany J, Fekete G and Amor P. Mechanical power test and fibre composition of human leg extensor muscles. Eur J Physiol. 1983;51:129–35.

10. MacDonald D, Cronin J, Mills J, McGuigan M, Stretch R. A review of cricket fielding requirements. S Afr J SM. 2013;25(3):87-92.

11. Steben RE, Steben AH. The validity of the stretch shortening cycle in selected jumping events. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1981 Mar;1(21):28-37

12. Stretch RA (Phil D ). A review of cricket injuries and the effectiveness of strategies to prevent cricket injuries at all levels. SAJSM 2007;5(19):129-32

13. Blackey JB, Southard D. The combined effects of weight training and plyometrics on dynamic leg strength and power. J Appl Sport Sci Res 1987;1:14-16.

14. Adams K, O’Shea JP, O’Shea KL, Climstein M. The effect of six weeks of squat, plyometrics and squat plyometric training on power production. J Appl Sport Res. 1992;6:36-41.

15. Myer GD, Ford KK, Brent JL, Hewett TE. The effects of plyometric versus dynamic stabilization and balance training on power, balance and landing force in athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2006;2(20):345-53.

16. Miller M. et al .The effects of a 6 week plyometric training program on agility. Journal of sports and medicine. 2006;5:459-65.

17. Bartholomeu SA. Plyometrics and vertical jump training. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

18. Kotzamanidis C. Effect of plyometric training on running performance and vertical jumping in prepubertal boys. J Strength Cond Res. 2006;2(20):441-5.

19. Parsons LS, Jones MT. Development of speed, agility and quickness for tennis athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 1998;20(3):14-19. 20. Vaczi M, Tollar J, Meszler B, Juhasz I, Karsai I. Short term high intensity plyometric training program, improves strength power and agility in male soccer players. J human kinetics. 2013;36:17-26. 21. Faigenbaum AD, McFarland JE, Keiper FB, Tevlin W, Ratamess NA, Kang J et al. Effects of a short term plyometric and resistance training program on fitness performance in boys age 12 to 15 years. J Sports Sci and Med. 2007;6:519-25.

22. Millic V, Nejic D, Kostic R. The effect of plyometric training on the explosive strength of leg muscles of volleyball players on single foot and two foot take off jumps. Phys education and sport. 2008;2(6):169-79.

23. Fatouras IG, Jamurtas AZ, Leontsini D, Taxildanis K, Kostopoulos N, Bukennyer P. Evaluation of plyometric exercise training, weight training and their combination on vertical jump performance and leg strength. J Strength Cond Res. 14:470-76.

24. Stojanovic T, Kostic R. The effect of the plyometric sport training model on development of vertical jump of volleyball players. Physical Education and Sport. 2002;1(9):11– 25.

25. The effects of plyometric training on the vertical jump performance of adult female subjects. British J Sports Med. 1982;16:113-15

26. Matavulj D, Kukolj M, Ugarkovic D, Tihanyi J, Jaric S. Effects of plyometric training on jumping performance in junior basketball players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2001 Jun;41(2):159-64 (A) BRIEF RESUME OF THE STUDY

INTRODUCTION

Success in many sports depends heavily upon the athlete's explosive leg power and muscular strength. In jumping, throwing, track and field events and other activities, the athlete must be able to use strength as quickly and forcefully as possible. This display comes in the form of speed-strength or power.1

Power represents the amount of work a muscle can produce per unit of time. An increase in power gives the athlete the possibility of improved performance in sports in which the improvement of the speed-strength relationship is sought.2

Strength training is also an important aspect for athletes in sports. Strength training is synonymous with the term resistance training and is defined as a specialised form of conditioning that is used to increase one’s ability to produce or resist force. Strength training uses the principle of progressive overload to force the body to adapt in order to able to produce and /or resist larger forces. Strength training is a tool to augment sport performance through improved strength and motor performance.

Several studies used plyometric training and have shown that it improves power output and increases explosiveness by training the muscles to do more work in a shorter amount of time. This is accomplished by optimizing the stretch-shortening cycle, which occurs when the active muscle switches from rapid eccentric muscle action (deceleration) to rapid concentric muscle action (acceleration). The rapid eccentric movement creates a stretch reflex that produces a more forceful concentric muscle action than could otherwise be generated from a resting position. The faster the muscle is stretched, the greater the force produced, and the more powerful the muscle movement . 3

Plyometric exercises that exploit the stretch-shortening cycle have been shown to enhance the performance of the concentric phase of movement and increase power output. PT includes performance of various types of body weight jumping-type exercise, like drop jumps (DJs), countermovement jumps (CMJs), alternate-leg bounding, hopping and other SSC jumping exercises .4

Plyometric drills usually involve stopping, starting, and changing directions in an explosive manner. These movements are components that can assist in developing agility. Agility is the ability to maintain or control body position while quickly changing direction during a series of movements. Agility training is thought to be a re-enforcement of motor programming through neuromuscular conditioning and neural adaptation of muscle spindles, golgi-tendon organs, and joint proprioceptors.

Agility training objectives and plyometric activities have been used in sports such as football, tennis, soccer or other sporting events that agility may be useful for their athletes. By enhancing balance and control of body positions during movement, agility theoretically should improve.5

Illinois Agility Test reliability was established by developing standardized instructions and implementation methods. The Illinois agility test is found to be reliable measures of agility between the ages of 18 and 40 yr. Establishing the reliability of these additional measures provides the clinician with a clinical tool that assesses uniplanar, biplanar, and multiplanar movements, thus creating a comprehensive assessment of agility.6

Jumping is a complex multi-joint action that demands not only force production but also a high power output. Numerous investigators have underlined the significance of maximal rate of force development in the improvement of explosive jumping performance. Plyometric training has been advocated for sports that require the athletes to have explosiveness and an increased vertical jumping ability.7

Vertical jumping constitutes an integral component of explosive performance in numerous athletic activities. As such, jumping ability is crucial in the execution of many athletic skills, such as rebounding in basketball, spiking in volleyball, and high jumping. Therefore, it is important to determine the parameters involved in vertical jumping and develop them through proper training regimens.

The vertical jump test to measure the jumping mechanical power. This test was preferred because it takes advantage of to potential for using elastic energy storage as well as chemical mechanical energy conversion. This test has shown to have high validity (compared to the Wingate test, 0.87) and reliability(test- restest 0.95) coefficients.8,9

Cricket is one of the world’s major team sports in terms of regular international games. It is a bat-and-ball sport similar to the game of baseball, generally played outdoors on natural grass fields. At social levels, cricket produces relatively few injuries, but at elite levels injuries are quite common primarily due to higher intensity of matches and Workloads .Today elite sportspeople are expected to train longer, Harder, and earlier in life to excel in their chosen sport. The Modern cricketer is no exception. The demands placed on the cricketer are further increased because of the repetitive nature of the game, often for long periods of time. The cricket players have to be quick between the wickets (running between wickets to get maximum runs). These players need to be agile and quick as well as coordinated to take the catches.10 3