Selected physiological responses during batting in a simulated cricket work bout: A pilot study

As limited research has focused on the physiological responses associated with cricket activity, the aim of this pilot study was to measure selected physiological responses during batting in a simulated high-scoring 1-day cricket game. Ten male university cricketers performed a batting specific work bout consisting of four sprints per over (six balls) for a seven over period. Testing was conducted outdoors with players wearing full batting gear. All experimentation was conducted under temperate environmental conditions. During the simulated work bout, a portable on-line metabolic system (the k4b(2)) was attached to the subjects for the continuous assessment of selected physiological variables including heart rate (HR), ventilation (F-B, V-T and V-E), oxygen uptake (Vo(2)) and metabolic carbon dioxide (V-CO2) production. Energy expenditure was calculated from the oxygen consumption responses and substrate use was calculated from the V-O2/V-CO2 responses. The results demonstrate that although the first over carried a statistically (p < 0.05) lower energetic cost than the remaining six overs, most physiological responses stabilised thereafter. This excluded the heart rate responses which increased significantly (p < 0.05) during the first three overs after which marginal increases were observed with no statistical difference between the last four overs (heart rate ranged from 149 +/- 19 bt min(-1) in the fourth over to 155 +/- 18 bt min(-1) in the last over). There was a mean energy expenditure of 2536 kJ h(-1) over the duration of the work bout. (c) 2007 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.