The impact of centre of mass kinematics and ground reaction forces on ball release speeds in cricket fast bowling

Abstract

The aims of this study were to verify previously reported relationships between whole-body centre of mass kinematics and ball release speed, and establish whether the ‘checking of linear motion’ or ‘hinged-moment’ principle is a valid biomechanical principle governing cricket fast bowling. Three-dimensional, full-body kinematic and ground reaction force data were collected from a group of 20 male high-performance English fast bowlers using an 18-camera Vicon® M² MCam motion capture system and an interfaced Kistler® 9287B force platform. Ball release speed was found to be moderately correlated with the horizontal velocity of the centre of mass at back foot contact (r = 0.499, p = 0.025), the average horizontal acceleration of the centre of mass during the front foot contact to ball release phase (r = − 0.544, p = 0.013), the change in horizontal velocity of the centre of mass during the front foot contact to ball release phase (r = 0.658, p = 0.002), but not the duration of the front foot contact to ball release phase (r = − 0.307, p = 0.188). These results suggest that it is the magnitude of centre of mass velocity reduction during the front foot contact to ball release phase, rather than the duration over which this reduction occurs, that is important in the generation of high ball release speeds. In addition, the resultant ground reaction force vector was found to act in front of the centre of mass for most bowlers during the front foot contact to ball release phase, indicating that the ‘checking of linear motion’ or ‘hinged-moment’ principle is unlikely to be a valid biomechanical principle governing cricket fast bowling.

Keywords::

• run-up
• biomechanics
• horizontal velocity
• delivery stride
• hinged-moment

Acknowledgements

This study was partly funded by the England and Wales Cricket Board.