Battlezone: An examination of the physiological responses, movement demands and reproducibility of small-sided cricket games

J Sports Sci. 2013;31(1):77-86. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2012.720706. Epub 2012 Sep 10.

Abstract

As cricket training typically involves separate skill and conditioning sessions, this study reported on the movement demands, physiological responses and reproducibility of the demands of small-sided cricket games. Thirteen amateur, male cricket players (age: 22.8 ± 3.5 years, height: 1.78 ± 0.06 m, body mass: 78.6 ± 7.1 kg) completed two sessions of a generic small-sided cricket game, termed Battlezone; consisting of six repeat 8-over bouts. Heart rate and movement demands were continuously recorded, whilst blood lactate concentration and perceived exertion were recorded after each respective bout. Batsmen covered the greatest distance (1147 ± 175 m) and demonstrated the greatest mean movement speed (63 ± 9 m · min⁻¹) during each bout. The majority of time (65-86%) was spent with a heart rate of between 51-85% HR(max) and a blood lactate concentration of 1.1-2.0 mmol · L⁻¹. Rating of perceived exertion ranged between 4.2-6.0. Movement demands and physiological responses did not differ between standardised sessions within respective playing positions (P > 0.05). The reliability for the majority of movement demands and physiological responses were moderate to high (CV: 5-17%; ICC: 0.48-1.00) within all playing positions. These results suggest that the physiological responses and movement characteristics of generic small-sided cricket games were consistent between sessions within respective playing positions.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Heart Rate*
  • Humans
  • Lactic Acid / blood*
  • Male
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Physical Exertion / physiology*
  • Sports / physiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Lactic Acid