Relax your muscles, bowl faster? a trial tests the link

NCT ID NCT07731464

Symptom relief Sponsor: Riphah International University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 28, 2026 · Last updated Jul 29, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether a 4-week progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) program can reduce psychological stress and improve bowling speed and accuracy in male cricket medium-fast bowlers aged 18-25. Participants are assigned to either PMR sessions before warm-ups or standard training alone. The study measures changes in perceived stress, ball release speed, and bowling accuracy to see if relaxation techniques offer a performance edge.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) — a structured 4-week protocol of contracting and relaxing muscle groups, done before warm-ups
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way for athletes to manage stress and boost performance.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early trial with only 20 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The stress and skill improvements may be modest or not last beyond the 4-week period.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

20 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Aug 2025

Finished

Feb 2026

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 25 years

Sex

Male participants only

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Must be a male cricket medium-fast bowler. * Must be between 18 and 25 years of age. * Must be an active club-level player with a minimum of 2 years of competitive playing experience. * Must be physically healthy, fit, and currently active in regular training. Exclusion Criteria: * Recent Injuries: Any history of recent lower-limb or upper-limb orthopedic injuries, acute musculoskeletal trauma, or surgeries within the past 6 months. * Any history of underlying neurological disorders or clinical psychological conditions that could independently alter motor coordination or stress perception. * Currently undergoing or having recently undergone any structured psychological therapies, systematic relaxation training, or counseling programs. * Any current chronic systemic diseases or medical issues that would prevent safe participation in standard athletic field training.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder Stress, Psychological

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Anxiety Athletic performance Muscle tonus Randomized controlled trial Relaxation therapy Sports medicine Stress, psychological

Relax your muscles, bowl faster? a trial tests the link

What the study statuses mean