EFFECT OF RESISTED EXERCISES VERSUS FREE WEIGHT EXERCISES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF GRIP STRENGTH OF CRICKET PLAYERS.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of resisted exercises and free weight exercises on improvement of grip strength of cricket players. A total sample of 40 cricket players were taken in the age group of 17 to 19 years. The height, weight and BMI were measured at the beginning of the study. The grip strength was measured using hydraulic hand dynamometer at the beginning of the study and as well as at the end of 3 weeks of intervention. The subjects were divided into 2 groups in which group A were given resisted exercises for hand using hand gripper and theraputty and group B were given resisted exercises for hand using free weights like dumbbells and weight disc. The result of the study showed that there is significant improvement in hand grip strength in both the groups after 3 weeks of intervention. The study concludes that hand gripper and theraputty can also be used for improvement of grip strength of cricket players.