Integrating Yoga into Cricket: A Contemporary Approach to Performance and Well-Being

Abstract

Background: Cricket is a popular sport that is celebrated worldwide and due to its popularity, it puts a lot of physical and mental pressure on the cricketers. The demand of rigorous physical and mental work leads to a number of health problems among the cricketers. The paper highlights the various issues faced by cricketers, types and frequency of injuries, and the susceptibility of different cricketing roles to specific injuries. Further the research emphasises the potential of yoga as a complementary therapy, highlighting its benefits, contemporary and historical studies, and its adoption by international cricket teams. Objective: The systematic review aims to investigate the efficacy of yoga interventions on the physiological, psychological, and biomechanical aspects of cricket performance. The study strives to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga for the prevention and reduction of physical and mental disorders among cricketer. Methods: An exhaustive systematic search was conducted in January 2025 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Electronic searches of MEDLINE, PUB MED, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and Research gate were performed. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed articles published in the last two decades that examined the physiological, psychological, and biomechanical effects of yoga on cricketers. Results: The review found that yoga interventions significantly improve flexibility, muscle strength and balance in cricketers, thereby reducing the incidence of injuries in cricketers. Studies show that yoga contributes to mental health by improving concentration and breathing capacity, reducing stress, thereby supporting faster recovery of the player’s body after exertion. However, variations in study designs and intervention protocols pose challenges in drawing definitive conclusions. Conclusion: It is found that the emerging trends of Yoga is effective for the sportspersons such as cricketers. The paper concludes with future ramifications of integrating yoga into cricket training system.