The Effects of a Six-Week Combined Resistance Training Program on Bowling Velocity and Muscular Force Output in Club-Level Male Fast Bowlers in Bangladesh

Abstract Background Pace bowling in cricket demands precise neuromuscular coordination, muscular strength, and timing to optimize ball velocity and accuracy. Shoulder strength and lower-limb power are key determinants, yet evidence for multi-modal combined resistance training (CRT) in club-level fast bowlers is limited. Objective To examine the effects of a six-week CRT program on shoulder force, bowling velocity, and accuracy in club-level male fast bowlers. Methods Thirty-five male fast bowlers (mean age 25.4 ± 2.1 years) were randomized to CRT (n = 18) or traditional training (TR, n = 17). CRT involved resistance, plyometric, and weighted ball exercises. Bowling velocity, shoulder strength, countermovement jump (CMJ), and bowling accuracy were measured. Paired and independent t-tests, effect sizes (Hedge’s g), Pearson correlation, and post-hoc power analysis were used. Results CRT significantly increased bowling velocity (115.83 ± 4.84 → 120.31 ± 4.83 km/h; g = 1.42, p < .001) and shoulder force (312.01 ± 19.89 → 339.08 ± 20.36 N; g = 1.36, p < .001). Bowling accuracy improved moderately (+ 6.8%, g = 0.92, p < .001), while CMJ remained unchanged. Shoulder force strongly correlated with bowling velocity (r = 0.81, p < .001). Post-hoc power was adequate for velocity (0.98), shoulder force (0.97), and accuracy (0.88). Conclusion Six-week CRT effectively enhanced shoulder force and bowling velocity, with moderate accuracy gains in club-level fast bowlers. CRT is a practical, evidence-based approach for amateur cricketers, supporting neuromuscular and functional performance improvements. Coaches should consider CRT integration to optimize pace bowling performance.