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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
The Joint Mechanical Function and Control of the Front Leg During Cricket Fast Bowling: A 3D Motion Analysis Study
Sensors, Vol.26(3), pp.1-22
2026
PMID: 41682418
Abstract
Cricket fast bowlers rely on the front leg as a mechanical lever during front foot contact, yet the underlying mechanisms that govern front leg behaviour remain unclear. This study examined front leg mechanics in 18 junior fast bowlers (17.2 ± 1.7 years) using a 14-camera 3D motion capture system and force platforms. Joint power and angular impulse analyses were performed to quantify hip and knee extension–flexion mechanics from front foot contact to ball release, enabling the classification of joint function as active (concentric), controlled (eccentric), or negligible. Power and angular impulse profiles revealed that front leg motion was dominated by controlled (eccentric) power at both the hip and knee, indicating that the regulation of knee angle occurred primarily through eccentric braking rather than concentric quadriceps extension. These findings suggest that achieving a “braced leg” position via isolated knee extensor strengthening may be ineffective. To evaluate whether kinematics and anthropometry contributed to performance, a multiple linear regression model was used. Run-up speed at back foot contact emerged as the strongest predictor of ball speed, whereas knee angle at front foot contact showed only a small and non-significant effect. Overall, the results indicate that front leg behaviour reflects coordinated whole-body dynamics, and performance interventions should prioritise momentum generation and timing across the kinetic chain rather than isolated joint actions.
Details
- Title
- The Joint Mechanical Function and Control of the Front Leg During Cricket Fast Bowling: A 3D Motion Analysis Study
- Authors
- René E.D. Ferdinands (Corresponding Author) - The University of SydneyPeter J. Sinclair - Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaMax C. Stuelcken - University of the Sunshine CoastAndrew J. Greene - School of Life and Health Sciences, Centre for Integrated Research in Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, United Kingdom
- Publication details
- Sensors, Vol.26(3), pp.1-22
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.3390/s26030902
- ISSN
- 1424-8220
- PMID
- 41682418
- Copyright note
- © 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
- Data Availability
- Restrictions apply to the availability of the datasets. The data presented in this study are not publicly available due to ethical and confidentiality restrictions associated with participant consent and institutional approval.
- Grant note
- This research was supported by the University of Sydney through the Cumberland B Research Grant
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991216251202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Chemistry, Analytical
- Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
- Instruments & Instrumentation