Effects of dual task exercise training on reaction time, agility and sprint in cricket players

Background: Cricket demands a harmonious blend of physical agility and cognitive alertness. Skills like quick direction changes, sprinting, and split-second decision-making are vital for optimal performance. Traditional training often emphasizes physical attributes, yet cognitive processing speed and coordination remain under-addressed. Dual-task training where athletes simultaneously perform cognitive and motor tasks aims to bridge this gap, offering a functional and sports-specific enhancement to performance. Aim: To assess the effect of dual-task exercise training on reaction time, agility and sprint in cricket players. Methodology: A comparative interventional study was conducted on 60 male cricket players aged 18–27 years. They were randomly assigned into two groups: Group A (dual-task training) and Group B (conventional training). Both groups trained thrice a week for 4 weeks (12 sessions). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed using the Alternate Hand Wall Toss Test (reaction time), T-test (agility), and 30-meter sprint test. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 29 with paired and unpaired t-tests. Results: Group A showed significant improvement in all outcome measures compared to Group B (p < 0.05). Dual-task training improved neuromuscular coordination, cognitive-motor integration, and functional agility more effectively than conventional methods. Conclusion: Dual-task training significantly enhances both physical and cognitive domains, demonstrating superior outcomes in agility, sprint speed, and reaction time. It presents a sports-specific, integrated approach ideal for performance enhancement in cricket.