Comparative Effects of Ballistic Six and Stretch Shortening Cycle Exercises for Performance Enhancement of Women Cricketers: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Women cricketers need specific training programs to enhance their performance. Ballistic six exercises are a set of high-intensity, explosive movements designed to improve muscle speed, agility, strength and power. The ballistic six and stretch shortening promotes the overall athletic speed, agility, power and strength of the muscles. Objective: To compare the effects of ballistic six and stretch-shortening cycle on the performance enhancement of women cricketers. Methodology: A randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess the comparative effect of ballistic six and stretch-shortening cycle exercises for performance enhancement of women cricketers. A convenience sampling technique was employed to recruit participants. The study was conducted for 3 months, from March to May 2025. Participants included in this study were female cricketers from the Physical Education Department, Government College University, Faisalabad. Eligible participants were between 18 and 25 years of age, having at least one year of cricket experience. Athletes were required to provide informed consent before participation. Individuals were excluded from the study if they had any history of musculoskeletal injury (female athlete triad), history of neurological conditions, or uncontrolled metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus. Continuous variable like age was presented using mean and standard deviation. An independent t-test was used to compare the significant difference between the effect of ballistic six and stretch-shortening cycle exercises for performance enhancement of women cricketers. The study was approved by the Government College University, Faisalabad Committee. Participants were assured of confidentiality and were informed of their right to withdraw at any time. Results: The comparison was checked using an independent t-test, which showed (p=0.82) for the 20-meter shuttle test, (p=0.16) for the agility t-test, (p=0.26) for the medicine ball throw test and (p=0.45) for the vertical jump test. The p>0.05 showed no significant difference in both regimes. Conclusion: The ballistic six and the stretch-shortening cycle training programs equally improved important aspects of athletic performance, such as speed, agility, strength and power. These findings emphasize that both methods of training could effectively be integrated into women’s cricket performance-based courses.