RELATIONSHIP OF SELECTED ANTHROPOMETRIC AND BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLES TO THE TECHNIQUE OF BACK FOOT OFF DRIVE IN CRICKET

Dr. Solomon Aruparayil and Mr. Tapas Chattopadhyay

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of selected anthropometric and biomechanical variables with the technique on back foot off drive in cricket. The subjects of this study were 5 male university level cricket players of Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. The ages of the subjects were between 18 to 25 years. Sequential photographic technique was employed in order to register the technique of the subjects in back foot off drive. A motor driven, Nikon Model Camera F-90 was used and the subjects were photographed in sagittal plane. Each subject was given three trials and the best trial was used for analysis. From the photographic sequence, the stick figures were prepared by using joint point method, and the various linear kinematic variables were obtained at the moment stance and contact (execution).  Segmentation method was employed in order to assess the centre of gravity of the body during moment stance and contact. The best technique in back foot off drive was used as the criterion measure for this study. The data was analyzed by using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation to ascertain the relationship of the selected linear kinematic and anthropometric variables with the technique of back foot off drive of the subjects. Selected anthropometric variables were height, sitting height, leg length and arm length. The biomechanical variables were consisted of selected angular measurements at various joints i.e. ankle joints, knee joints, hip joints, shoulder joints, elbow joints and wrist joints. The other biomechanical variables were the linear kinematics i.e. the height of centre of gravity at moment stance and contact (execution) of the bat with ball in back foot off drive in cricket. The angle of right shoulder joint at moment contact for right handed batsman should be minimized for better performance in back foot off drive. The height of centre of gravity at moment stance and contact should be increased. A taller batsman can play better shot instead of shorter one, so height of the player have positive effect in play in the back foot off drive. Longer arm help the player to get greater momentum with high back lift at the time of execution.

Key words: Anthropometric, Biomechanical, Back Foot and Cricket