Effect of upper-body high intensity interval training on exercise performance in elite cricket players

Abstract

The aerobic energy pathway is a significant contributing factor to the performance of an elite cricket player. Due to the sports demand on the lower body it would be beneficial to train for aerobic improvements in the upper body. The aim of study was to investigate the transfer effect of upper body high intensity interval training (HIIT) on lower body performance. Eleven male professional cricket players were assigned to either a control (n = 5) or a rope (n = 6) group. Both groups performed the pre-season strength training, with the rope group performing additional upper body HIIT training 3 days/week for 4 weeks. Performance testing was conducted on both groups pre- and post the training intervention period. The rope group experienced a significant increased upper body maximal exercise capacity ∼12% on the VO2max test (P = 0.016) with no change in the control group. There was no change in VO2max, HRmax, VE and RER in either group (P > 0.05). Lower body aerobic performance increased significantly ∼11% in the rope group (P = 0.011) with a large effect identified in the control group ∼3% (ES = 1.07). The results show that short-term upper body HIIT can produce specific improvements in upper body anaerobic power and maximal exercise capacity. Additionally the training improved maximal exercise capacity in the untrained limbs, although the exact mechanism responsible for the adaptation is not clear. Upper body HIIT is an effective method of improving the lower body maximal exercise capacity in elite cricket players.