Comparative Effects of Cadence Training vs Elliptical Training in Cricketers

Summary

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFP) is a frequent cause of anterior knee pain in sportspeople, especially those playing some sport that involves high-impact and rapid changes of direction and frequent lower-limb loading such as in cricket. The stress of patella is augmented by the activities and results in pain and functional performance decline. Strategies of rehabilitation which minimize the stress on the knee joints and maximizes strength, power and endurance are required. Elliptical training offers a low-impact aerobic alternative with negligible patellofemoral loading whereas cadence training highlights a controlled movement frequency and ideal movement patterns which may alleviate stress on the joints and increase neuromuscular coordination.

To compare the effects of cadence training versus elliptical training on pain, power, and endurance among cricketers with patellofemoral pain syndrome. It was a randomized clinical trial involving 48 cricketers aged between 18 35 years with positive patellofemoral compression test and at least 2 3 years of playing experience. The individuals were randomly divided into two groups (n = 24 each) and Group A was allocated to the cadence training and Group B to elliptical training. The sessions were conducted over six weeks with each session taking 45 minutes three times a week. The pre- and post-intervention measures were Vertical Jump Test (power), Wall Sit Test (endurance), and Numeric Pain Rating Scale. The paired, Wilcoxon, Mann Whitney and independent t tests were used to analyze the data and compare the within and between-group differences.

Conditions

• Sports Physical Therapy

Interventions

PROCEDURE

cadence training

Cadence Training program was administered to Group A in a six-week period to enhance power, endurance, and knee stability among cricketers who had the patella femoral pain syndrome. Each session lasted 45 minutes, with a 5-minute warm-up of dynamic stretches to the lower body. The next thing was electrotherapy of 10 minutes to manage pain. The primary exercise was cadence training, which was to be gradually changed into moderate and then high-intensity training throughout the weeks, with the main aim being to keep the cadence steady at the station to improve the performance. Bodyweight squats, lunges were included as strength exercises, with repetitions progressing every week (10 to 20). At the end of every session, there was a 5 minutes cool-down of static stretching to enhance flexibility and aid in recovery

PROCEDURE

elliptical training

Group B had a structured Elliptical Training program during the six weeks, which started with a 5-minute warm-up with dynamic stretches. The primary exercise was the elliptical intervals with the first weeks being steady-state cardio workouts and the second weeks using high-resistance intervals to develop power and endurance. This group also did bodyweight squats and lunges which were regularly done with body weight every week with repetitions of 10 to 20. At the end of every session, there was a 5 minute period of cool-down of static stretching which helped bring about recovery and flexibility

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Danish Hassan, PhD · Riphah International University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Weeks

Max Age

35 Weeks

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-03-15

Primary Completion

2026-06-01

Completion

2026-06-30