Core Endurance in University-Level Fast Bowlers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and objective Fast bowling in cricket involves repetitive, high-velocity trunk movements that increase lumbar spine stress, making core endurance critical for spinal stability, bowling efficiency, and injury prevention. This study aimed to assess core endurance and lateral asymmetries in university-level fast bowlers. Methods Forty-two healthy male university fast bowlers (mean age: 20.19 ± 1.50 years), including 39 right-arm (92.9%) and three left-arm (7.1%) bowlers, who trained ≥3 times per week, participated in the study. The McGill Torso Endurance Test was employed to evaluate flexor, extensor, and lateral core endurance. Hold times were recorded, and descriptive statistics with paired and independent t-tests analyzed asymmetries. Results Mean core endurance times were 103.86 ± 23.91 seconds (flexor), 56.66 ± 11.94 seconds (extensor), 92.49 ± 26.79 seconds (right plank), and 79.56 ± 23.19 seconds (left plank). Compared to McGill norms (144 seconds, flexor; 146 seconds, extensor), participants showed reduced endurance, especially posteriorly. A significant lateral asymmetry was found, with 38 bowlers (90.5%) exhibiting longer hold times on the dominant side (mean difference = 12.92 seconds; p<0.001). Right-arm bowlers had greater right-side endurance, while the numerically smaller left-arm subgroup showed an opposite trend, though the differences were not statistically significant under unequal variance assumptions. Conclusions University-level fast bowlers demonstrated notable deficits in core endurance and significant side-to-side asymmetry favoring the dominant side, likely reflecting sport-specific adaptations. These findings underscore the need for targeted core conditioning, including unilateral training, to enhance spinal stability, reduce injury risk, and support bowling performance.