Effect of neuromuscular training on functional throwing performance and speed in asymptomatic cricket players

Objective: To determine the effect of neuromuscular training on functional throwing performance and speed among asymptomatic cricket players. Design: Single-subject A-B-A design. Method: Forty-three male asymptomatic sub-elite cricket players were recruited from Karnataka Institute of Cricket, Bangalore, India, with a mean age of 20.4 ± 2.03 years. Throwing accuracy and throwing speed were measured using Functional Throwing Performance Index (FTPI) and radar gun respectively, at zero, 12, 24 and 30 weeks in accordance with the A-B-A single-subject design. The neuromuscular training of the throwing arm was performed for 12 weeks, two days a week of supervised training including rhythmic stabilization drills were performed. A non-supervised training session including shoulder strengthening programme was conducted three days a week. Result: Participants demonstrated significant improvement in throwing accuracy (p < 0.001) and speed (p < 0.001) after 12 weeks of neuromuscular training. Six weeks post-withdrawal of the neuromuscular training on throwing accuracy was not significant (p = 0.117), However, speed was sustained (p = 0.013). Conclusion: Neuromuscular training showed an improved efficiency in throwing performance following 12 weeks of training in sub-elite cricket players. The sustained effect was not observed following 6 weeks of withdrawal of training.