 "New fitness test for Team India: What is the rugby-centric Bronco Test Indian cricketers must pass?")
MS Dhoni had brought about a change in India’s fitness culture and standards during his reign as captain and Virat Kohli took things to another level when he was put in charge later. The result was an Indian team that was fitter than ever before, their elevated standards helped them pinch a few extra runs, save the odd single and even break a partnership with a sensational run-out, all of which ultimately made a world of difference on the result
What has changed though, is the method with which the Indian team measures its players’ fitness, with the Men in Blue adding the Bronco fitness test to the menu going forward. What exactly is it and how does it differ from the Yo-Yo Test? Let’s find out…
For starters, the Bronco test does not replace the existing Yo-Yo test and the 2-kilometre time trial. India head coach Gautam Gambhir and strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux have instead introduced the Bronco test, originally developed for rugby which measures aerobic endurance and pushes cardiovascular limits.
What is the Bronco test?
The Bronco test is a high-intensity aerobic running drill which involves shuttle runs of 20, 40 and 60 metres respectively. So an athlete must run 20 metres and cover as much distance on the way back, totaling 40 metres. Going by this rule, the player effectively covers 80m and 120m respectively for the other two shuttle runs.
The three distances form a set, and in the Bronco test, a player must complete five sets, effectively covering 1,200 metres, without taking rest. The time taken to complete the five sets is then noted as a measure of a player’s fitness, with the team currently setting six minutes as the benchmark.
According to The Indian Express, several players have already undergone the Bronco test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Additionally, le Roux had recommended the test in response to concerns over players, especially fast bowlers, spending too much time in gyms instead of endurance training.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe Yo-Yo test, which was introduced by then-strength and conditioning coach Shankar Basu in 2016, primarily focuses on recovery and agility while the Bronco test assesses continuous aerobic endurance.
The yo-yo test involves running between two cones placed 20 metres apart with increasing pace at each level, with players allowed a 10-second recovery period after every 40 metres. The benchmark in this test is set at 17.1. The 2km time trial, meanwhile, sets different time limits depending on roles – fast bowlers must complete it in 8 minutes and 15 seconds, with other players getting an additional 15 seconds.
Le Roux had rejoined the Indian team as their s&c coach in June this year, having previously worked with the Indian team from January 2002 and May 2003 under then-captain Sourav Ganguly and head coach John Wright. He has also worked with Cricket South Africa as well as Indian Premier League franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings.
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