Abstract

This study determined the “on-field” physiological response of fifteen elite male cricket players (age 24.08±0.8 years) during batting, fielding (catch and retrieve 20 balls alternatively and return the ball to the wicket-keeper) and bowling using an Aerosport KB1-C portable gas analyzer. The mean heart rate (b/min) during fielding (150.2±14.8) and batting (136.5±14.2) did not differ significantly (p>0.05), but were significantly higher (p<0.001) than during spin-bowling (91.5±16.0) and fast-bowling (113.3±20.4; p<0.05). Mean heart rates during the latter was significantly higher (p<0.05) than for spin-bowling. The metabolic equivalents measured during fielding (6.1±1.5), batting (5.6±2.7), fast-bowling (4.6±1.3) and spin-bowling (4.0±2.1) did not differ significantly (p>0.05) as was the case for VO2 (ml/kg/min) measured during fielding (21.4±7.4), batting (18.8±5.3), fast-bowling (16.6±4.6) and spin-bowling (15.4± 7.4). The respiratory quotient measured for fielding (1.10±0.2) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than for spin-bowling (0.86±0.1), but not significantly higher (p>0.05) than fast-bowling (0.99±0.1) or batting (1.11±0.04). In conclusion exercise intensity and energy cost of the respective phases of play in cricket can be rated as is moderate to high, and carbohydrate is the most important fuel source utilized. Verf.-Referat