Visual-perceptual training with motor practice of the observed movement pattern improves anticipation in emerging expert cricket batsmen

ABSTRACT

This study addressed the paucity of evidence of whether visual anticipation can be improved in emerging experts in striking sports. Twelve emerging expert batsmen from a state cricket squad were equally randomised into intervention and control groups. They were pre-and-post tested on a video temporal occlusion test of a fast bowler, as well as transfer tests of different fast and slow bowlers. The intervention group received two sessions per week of point-light display temporal occlusion training with motor practice of the observed bowler’s action over a 4-week period. The control group completed only the testing phases. Batting averages before, during, and after the study were recorded for both groups. The intervention group, but not the control group, improved anticipation to significantly above chance level across pre-to-post-tests based upon pre-ball flight information. The intervention, but not the control, transferred their learning to anticipate significantly above chance level based upon pre-ball flight information across different fast and slow (spin) bowlers. Batting average of the intervention group was higher than the control group during the study. Findings indicate that the intervention can improve anticipation in emerging expert batsmen, beyond sport-specific practice. This improvement may benefit competition performance, but further evidence is required.     

心理因素对棒球安打率的影响

分析击球员心理测试结果,罗列运动员的心理共性和个性特点,为运动员的安打率在比赛中能达到正常发挥或超长发挥提供有力依据。     

A Kinematic Analysis of the Baseball Batting Swings Involved in Opposite-Field and Same-Field Hitting

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanics of hitting a baseball to the same and opposite fields. Twenty male subjects were assigned to one of two groups according to their baseball hitting abilities. Each subject performed as many trials as were necessary to successfully hit a pitched ball three times to both the same and opposite fields. Each trial was filmed from above. No significant interactions (p < 0.05) were found between subject groups and field hits with selected temporal and kinematic parameters entered as dependent variables. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between body landmark and segment component displacements and velocities at the instant prior to ball contact. The maximum resultant linear and angular speed of the examined body and bat landmarks were found to occur prior to ball contact. Based on the results of the study it was concluded that no interactions exist between hitting ability and hitting technique when hitting to defined field areas and that differences in the mechanics of hitting to defined areas are due in part to: (1) differences in the angular displacements of the left wrist and left elbow joints and (2) differences in the temporal characteristics of the swings.     

The Diffusion and Transmission of Cricket among European,Indigenous and Migrant Communities in the British Straits Settlements and Malay States during the Late Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century, 1786–1899

The British colonised Penang in 1786, Malacca in 1895 and Singapore in 1819. In 1874, the British, through its Residents, came to control the Governments of Perak, Selangor and Sungei Ujong, and wherever they went, they indulged in their leisure pursuits such as horse riding and cricket. This research attempts to show how the immigrant Malay Eurasian, Chinese and Tamil communities come into contact with the different British and European communities and were introduced to cricket. The process of diffusion and acceptance becomes evident when the local populations in turn set up their own sports clubs and cricket clubs. The study tries to identify the various means of the cultural transmission of sports by the different ethnic groups during British colonial rule from 1876 to 1899.     

Partial swing golf shots: scaled from full swing or independent technique?

Abstract

During practice and competition, golfers are required to use submaximal effort to hit the ball a given distance, i.e., perform a partial shot. While the full golf swing has undergone extensive research, little has addressed partial shots and the biomechanical modifications golfers employ. This study investigates the biomechanical changes between full and partial swings, and determines if the partial swing is a scaled version of the full swing. Using a repeated measures design, 13 male golfers completed a minimum of 10 swings in the full and partial swing conditions, whilst club, ball, kinematic, and kinetic parameters were recorded. Large and statistically significant reductions in body motion (centre of pressure ellipse: 33.0%, p = 0.004, d = 2.26), combined with moderate reductions in lateral shift (25.5%, p = 0.004, d = 0.33) and smaller reductions in trunk rotation (arm to vertical at top of backswing: 14.1%, p = 0.002, d = 2.58) indicate golfers favour larger reductions in proximal measures, combined with diminished reductions as variables moved distally. Furthermore, the partial swing was not found to be a scaled version of the full swing implying a new approach to coaching practices might be considered.     

击球节奏在网球底线正手教学中的实验研究

针对武汉体育学院网球专选班学生底线正手击球的技术,设计相关的教学实验,将击球节奏方法运用到网球底线正手的教学中.通过实验对比和分析,探讨和揭示击球节奏在网球底线正手教学中的重要作用,旨在完善网球技术的教学方法和手段,提高网球课的教学效果和质量,为全面发展体育院校学生身体素质和启动课程改革配套的先期工程奠定坚实的基础.     

The Mechanics of Batting: Analysis of Ground Reaction Forces and Selected Lower Extremity Kinematics

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine variations in ground reaction forces and selected lower extremity kinematics during the stride and swing phases of batting. High speed photography (100 fps) employing direct linear transformation methodology and a force plate were used to record three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data for 7 female fast pitch softball batters. Mean vertical forces (F_z) of the right or rear foot increased to approximately 1 BW during the stride. Once the left or forward foot made contact with the ground after completion of the stride, right F_z forces decreased to .43 BW while left F_z forces rapidly increased to 1.6 BW at contact. The mean decrease in right F_z forces from peak force until contact was 55%, and the ratio of left to right F_z forces; at impact was 3.67:1. Right mediolateral forces (F_x) were exerted laterally, away from the batter, and were responsible for initiating movement of the body toward the pitched ball. As the left foot made contact with the ground at completion of the stride, left F_x forces were exerted laterally toward the pitched ball. The reaction to these forces retarded the batter's forward momentum, increased stability, and caused the left hip and knee to extend as contact approached. Right and left anteroposterior forces (F_y) acted in opposite directions (right foot pushing backward, left foot pushing forward), and were responsible for rotating the hips and upper body in a counterclockwise direction toward the pitched ball. Horizontal angular deceleration of both thighs just prior to contact was due, in part, to a decrease in these forces. These data may prove helpful when attempting to identify atypical batting patterns, and when considering improvements in shoe design. In the latter instance, force production and stability may be enhanced by aligning the cleats along the lines of action of the applied resultant shear forces.     

浅谈篮球视野与训练

一名优秀的篮球运动员应具备宽广的视野。视觉基本功的训练是目前刻不容缓、亟待解决的问题     

‘They Came to Sneer,and Remained to Cheer’: Interpreting the 1934–35 England Women’s Cricket Tour to Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

This paper focuses generally on the history of women’s cricket during the earlier twentieth century, primarily on the 1934–35 England women’s cricket tour of Australia and New Zealand, and more so on the New Zealand dimension. The tour occurred at a critical time for women’s team sport in both countries in that from the 1920s consistent local and then national competitions brought continuity to previously fragmented activities. Hence the tour provides a useful barometer for a wide range of attitudes to sporting participation by women and reveals contrasts between Britain and Australasia. At the same time, there are specific attitudes to the playing of cricket by women that need to be explored. Here there are some obvious differences between accounts in dedicated women’s cricket sources and the specialist women’s press, both of which sought to encourage the game on its own terms, and those in sources with a broader scope and male-dominated editorship which were more inclined to trivialize and disparage women’s cricket and to judge it against the men’s game.     

浅析武术训练对视野的影响

文章运用文献资料分析法、生理测试法和数理统计法等研究方法,对集美大学体育学院武术套路、散打运动的男运动员的不同角度视野的测试,并将其结果与非运动员(普通男大学生)进行比较。结果表明:无论是运动员和非运动员的白色视野在任何方位上都大于绿色视野;武术套路运动员与散打运动员的视野在各方位上都无显著差异;武术套路运动员和散打运动员的白色视野在任何方位上都大于普通大学生,差异非常显著。文章旨在通过分析武术运动训练对视野可能产生的影响,为武术教学训练和运动员选材提供科学的理论依据。     

Surface hardness of a cricket bat after ‘knock-in’

New cricket bats need to be ‘knocked in’ prior to use, but just what this process does to the surface fibres of the bat is unknown and unquantified. One quantitative measurement of knock-in is the resultant surface hardness of the bat, and this paper describes knock-in tests to determine the surface hardness following differing durations of knock-in. The design of a cricket bat knock-in machine is first described. This takes the form of a cradle in which a cricket bat can be secured horizontally and then traversed at constant speeds in two mutually perpendicular directions while at the same time being struck with constant force by a cricket ball. The traverses are driven by lead screws, the motors of which can be independently switched on or off. The traverse distance can be varied with adjustable limit switches and relays that reverse the direction of rotation of the lead screws when activated. The cricket ball is attached to a rod that is lifted cyclically by a cam against a coil spring extension, and then allowed to fall under that force to impact on the bat surface. The impact (knocking-in) force was measured by a previously calibrated strain gauge attached to the rod holding the cricket ball. By judicious setting of the limit switches, selected areas of the bat surface were continuously knocked in for periods varying from 1 to 4 hours. After knocking in, the surface hardness was measured in accordance with British Standard 373 using a penetrator designed in accordance with the same standard. Analysis of the load/penetration curves shows an increase in surface hardness with knock duration. Photographs of the cell structure of the surface wood, obtained using a scanning electron microscope, show that under knock-in conditions, the wood cells collapse to form a mesh-like hardened layer which increases in hardness with increase in knock-in duration.