E-Thesis 396 views 187 downloads
The effect of a morning priming session of afternoon performance / FERGUS NUTT
Swansea University Author: FERGUS NUTT
Abstract
Introduction: Match play within professional cricket commences at a variety of times during the day, with the shorter ‘white ball’ formats often starting anywhere from 11:00 to 19:30. This presents large windows of opportunity for pre-competition strategies to be utilised to improve performance. Sal...
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Swansea
2022
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MSc by Research |
| Supervisor: | Kilduff, Liam |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59443 |
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| Abstract: |
Introduction: Match play within professional cricket commences at a variety of times during the day, with the shorter ‘white ball’ formats often starting anywhere from 11:00 to 19:30. This presents large windows of opportunity for pre-competition strategies to be utilised to improve performance. Salivary hormones, in particular testosterone, exhibit a circadian rhythm over the waking day, falling up to 50% to a nadir at 20:00. With salivary testosterone concentrations showing strong links with neuromuscular, cognitive and motivational benefits, the ability to optimise those natural levels could be a way to improve an athlete’s match day performance. Engaging in a bout of exercise prior to competition has been used by sports teams to prime the body, with the purpose to enhance performance. Methods: In this study, a group of 21 professional male cricket players (aged: 26 6 years, body mass: 88.1 4.4 kg, height: 184 3.6 cm) engaged in an investigation with the aim to compare the effects of 2 morning priming protocols on markers of afternoon performance. Following a randomised-counterbalance design, the players were split into groups of 4. The control day consisted of the players reporting for the afternoon tests (Readiness To Perform questionnaire [RTP], Stroop Test, countermovement jump [CMJ] and Run-two sprint at 15:00, with 30min slots for each group. The experimental trials consisted of groups arriving at 9:00 with 30min slots, to engage in either the Trap bar deadlift protocol (4 reps at 50%, 70%, 80%, 3 x 4 at 85% 1RM) or repeated Sprint session (6 x 35.4m with a 180 turn at the midpoint) with a 30s recovery, roles were reversed following a 7-day break; participants then rested for 5h and returned to completed the afternoon performance tests. Results: Run-two sprint time was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) (CON = 5.99 0.17s, Sprint = 5.94 0.17s, Trap bar = 5.91 0.17s), Trap bar saw further reductions when compared to the Sprint (p = 0.032). Only the Trap bar protocol saw a significant increase in CMJ Jump height (JH) (p = 0.021) (CON = 43.8 6.8cm, Sprint = 45.0 7.3cm, Trap bar = 45.2 6.5cm). There was no significant correlation between absolute (p > 0.05) or relative strength (p > 0.05) and the effectiveness of the priming strategies on neuromuscular performance. Both Sprint and Trap bar expressed significant reductions in time to complete the Stroop test (p < 0.05) (CON – 51.1 4.7s, Sprint – 48.4 3.6s, Trap bar – 47.9 2.8s), with Trap bar again reporting further reductions compared to Sprint (p < 0.05). Whilst the trials demonstrated a significant impact on the athletes’ afternoon neuromuscular and cognitive performance, their readiness to perform scores were unaffected (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Performing morning exercise is associated with afternoon neuromuscular and cognitive performance benefits, with no detriment to the readiness to perform. |
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| Item Description: |
A selection of third party content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis due to copyright restrictions. |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |