Rohit Sharma passes gruelling Bronco test, what does it mean for cricket fitness? (Pics credit: Instagram)
Indian star cricketer Rohit Sharma has aced the newly introduced bronco test, put into effect by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, or the BCCI. The 38-year-old former captain has reportedly impressed everyone with his performance during the test, a hard aerobic running assessment, which is a demanding series of shuttle runs introduced to improve players’ endurance.
The test also featured the Yo-Yo subtest, already being used by the Indian cricket team to measure the fitness level of the players. According to news reports, Rohit may feature in India’s upcoming ODI series in Australia to begin in October, but it remains uncertain whether he will also represent India A in their three one-day games against Australia A in Kanpur last month.
What is the Bronco test?
The bronco is a gruelling test, which refers to a rugby-inspired fitness drill introduced by the BCCI for cricketers, with a demanding and continuous 1,200-metre run consisting of 20m, 40m, and 60m shuttle runs, which the players are expected to complete in six minutes or less.
This rigorous test assesses aerobic and anaerobic endurance, speed endurance, and mental fortitude, complementing existing fitness protocols like the Yo-Yo test and 2 km time trial to ensure players meet the high demands of modern cricket.
How is the Bronco test beneficial for the fitness of players?
A few benefits of the Bronco test include:
Builds stamina
The test helps athletes develop the endurance required for long matches.
Endurance helps players enhance performance by improving the ability of their heart and lungs to deliver oxygen to muscles, delaying fatigue, and allowing for prolonged activity. It also reduces the risk of injury, aids in quicker recovery, strengthens mental health, and contributes to better heart health and weight management.
Spikes mental toughness
Since the test is continuous in nature with no built-in rest breaks, it helps challenge a player’s mental strength. Pushing through the discomfort of being exhausted builds mental resilience, allowing athletes to maintain effort and recover faster even when feeling fatigued.
Helps in quick recovery
The test assesses an athlete’s aerobic endurance and stamina, which helps sustain high-intensity efforts with continuous running and little to no rest. In the long run, it helps in quick recovery from fatigue.
Improves fitness
Pushing the athletes helps increase their cardiovascular limits. The test then helps measure their endurance, speed, and ability to recover from fatigue, helping them stay in the game for longer and recover more effectively.