at all levels. Although at times exhausting, and very testing, it is extremely rewarding working with all age groups. Grass-root level sport is often overlooked, but there is a great sense of pride when you see the smiles and hear the laughter as parents watch their children keeping fit whilst having a great time too!

BASE LINE TESTING As the players develop greater cricketing skills they are filtered into the sub-academy and academy squads (age range 13-19) with a few of them progressing on into the second team and hopefully the senior county side. They have a slightly more gruelling schedule and their weekly training sessions serve to give them insight into the demands of becoming a professional cricketer. They develop their functional flexibility, core strength and stability, balance training, reactive training (power) and strength training. They become familiar with a battery of fitness tests which, as happens with the senior professionals, are carried out at the end of the season and during the pre-season. These tests allow us to regularly evaluate the success of the training programmes that we set for our players.

The tests are designed to give us

both baseline data and comparable data from which to assess parameters of physiological fitness as well as functional performance information. We use the results to continue to build and develop individual profiles as well as providing a comparator for players within the team. We use the information from these tests, together with clinical profiling data, to structure individualised programmes for each player. The physiological tests are, body

weight, body fat percentage measured by a skin fold test, a general multi stage fitness test (Bleep Test) and two batting specific tests conducted in batting pads and carrying a bat. Note that the distance of 17.7 metres

BOX 1 FITNESS TESTS FOR CRICKET

Multi stage fitness test (Bleep test Used to estimate the body’s efficiency in transporting and using oxygen at maximal physical exertion. It helps to give us information that will enable us to focus the aerobic element of individual fitness programmes. Improvements in this capability will indicate an increase in overall aerobic fitness. Aerobic fitness is the most important and basic underpinning fitness requirement for all other conditioning and technical fitness work.

Single sprint test

This test will be performed from a standing start, conducted over 17.7 metres and gives us information about power output. Three attempts in total. Allows elements of a fitness programme to be targeted at improving power output production.

Wicket sprint test – run three This test will be conducted over 17.7 metres and similar to the single sprint test will involve three consecutive sprints between ‘wickets’. The test requires two attempts with bat only – one attempt right turning and one attempt left turning. Two more attempts following the same format equipped with pads and bat. Four efforts in total. This will simply give a performance measure that will help to identify functional improvement.

Strength tests

Susie Woolmer puts wicket keeper Paul Nixon to the test

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Based on lifting 75% of maximum body weight only. - Squat to parallel = 5 reps max - Bench press = 5 reps max

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equates to the distance between the wickets (popping crease) so it becomes a functional test (see Box 1). Alongside the fitness tests, each individual undergoes a clinico- anatomical screening assessment carried out by the physiotherapy

team, designed to assess muscle extensibility, muscular strength and joint laxity. The focus is on symmetry in the body. These screenings are invaluable and are used as an early warning system against possible injury occurrence. Preventative measures are