Psychophysiological States and Bowling Accuracy in University-Level Fast Bowlers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60081/SSHA.03.02.2025.530-537Keywords:
Heart rate variability, Bowling accuracy, Emotional states, Cricket, PsychophysiologyAbstract
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether or not the accuracy of the findings produced by university-level speed bowlers is correlated with their psychological and physiological states. This study aimed to investigate the impact of emotional states on both the operation of the autonomic nervous system and athletes' performance. Methods: As part of a repeated-measures design, 80 men from a university fast bowling team were divided into four emotional states. These moods were neutral, anxious, excited, and at ease. Polar H10 monitors were utilised to capture heart rate variability (HRV), or more precisely, root mean square deviation (RMSD), during baselines before the bowl. The number of balls that struck a predefined target during 10 deliveries for each situation was used to evaluate bowling accuracy. Validated audiovisual stimuli were used to evoke emotional states. Results: The HRV varied significantly across the conditions, peaking in the Calm condition (mean RMSSD = 58.2 ms) and falling in the Anxious condition (42.7 ms). The improvement in bowling accuracy that occurred when the person was calm, as opposed to stressed, was equally significant (p = 0.003). Bowling accuracy and HRV were shown to be positively correlated (r = 0.62, p < 0.001). Conclusions: A correlation was found between enhanced autonomic control, emotional tranquillity, and increased bowling accuracy, as indicated by the findings. Through the use of personalised psychophysiological profiling, athletes can maximise their performance potential by exercising control over their emotions.
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