Strength and conditioning considerations for the elite ten-pin bowler

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JULIAN LIM, MS, CSCS
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE ELITE TEN-PIN BOWLER
Ten-pin bowling is an international indoor sport that has
gained participation both at the recreational and elite
levels. Its popularity has enabled the sport to be featured
in the Commonwealth and Asian Games since 1998 and 1978,
respectively. It is commonly viewed that ten-pin bowling is not
a physically demanding sport (5,6). However, recent studies
have shown that a significant amount of muscular strength and
endurance is correlated with high performance in the sport of ten-
pin bowling (3,4).
FIVE-STEP APPROACH
The five-step approach (Figure 1) in ten-pin bowling delivery
is the choice movement used by most elite bowlers around the
world. A proper five-step approach can result in greater ball
speed at release. This article focuses on strength and conditioning
considerations that impact performance of this specific movement.
POWER-STEP
The power-step is the penultimate step used in the five-step
approach, and its goal is to assist the bowler in generating more
power in the approach. In a right-handed bowler, this requires
a quick and forceful extension of the right hip and knee joints.
Peak horizontal ground reaction force and impulse need to be
generated to initiate the transfer of forces from the ground to the
ball at the point of release from the bowler’s hand.
BOWLING DELIVERY
The delivery of the bowling ball occurs during the last step of
the five-step approach. As the left foot is sliding, the bowling
ball is released when the arm swing reaches the bottom of its
arc. Simultaneously, the bowler’s fingers lift upward and outward
to impart revolution on the bowling ball. The efficiency of the
movement is influenced by arm flexion and forearm internal
rotation. Strength of the arm flexors and forearm/wrist internal
rotators are significantly correlated with ball release velocity, but
not to average bowling score (2). Researchers also reported that
experienced players generate tremendous spin on the bowling
ball, and thus develop strong forearm/wrist rotators through
experience (2).
INJURY PREVENTION
Oftentimes, bowlers’ shoulders can be susceptible to chronic
injuries. Instead of letting the arm swing like a pendulum through
the delivery, many contemporary bowlers attempt to “muscle”
through the shot. Not only does this place high traction force
on the glenohumeral joint, and may possibly lead to injury, the
anterior shoulder muscles can also become overdeveloped, in
comparison to the opposing muscle group. Therefore, it seems
beneficial for elite ten-pin bowlers to strengthen the posterior
shoulder muscles to help reduce such incidence of muscular
injuries and imbalances.

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Injuries to the lower back may also occur during the backswing of
the bowling delivery. The higher the backswing, the greater the
potential momentum generated for acceleration of the subsequent
bowling delivery. A lack of extension and rotation of the thoracic
spine and glenohumeral joint can affect the peak height of the
backswing. To achieve the desired range of the backswing, the
lumbar spine has to compensate with extension and rotation
movements. This may potentially lead to the development of
chronic injuries to the lower back. Thus, optimal thoracic and
shoulder mobility is suggested to achieve safe and efficient
technique for the backswing.
Injuries to the lower limbs may occur if a bowler lacks the ability to
form a stable base during the approach. Inefficient bowlers often
display noticeable knee valgus/varus movements on the last step
just before the point of release (1). The improper gait during the
approach and slide may lead to adductor muscle strains and knee
ligament injuries (1). Increasing lower body strength, especially
in the muscles involved in hip stability, appears beneficial to help
decelerate the body and maintain knee and ankle alignment, as
the bowler “slides” at the end of the approach.
SAMPLE BOWLING TRAINING PROGRAM
Table 1 shows a sample strength and conditioning program for an
elite bowler. The training program is mainly comprised of training
for the muscles involved in the bowling delivery. These include
strengthening the gluteus maximus and hamstring musculature
for horizontal force propulsion during the power-step phase.
In addition, this program also includes exercises for the biceps
brachii and internal rotators of the forearm muscles for effective
bowling ball release during the delivery.
Prehabilitation (i.e., injury prevention) exercises are included to
address scapular stabilization and thoracic mobility during the
backswing, as well as hip stabilization during the sliding phase of
the delivery. These exercises are performed between sets of the
main exercises.
Lastly, core stability exercises are included to increase endurance
and dynamic stabilization to help in maintaining optimal technique
during the bowling delivery (Table 2). Exercises that focus on anti-
rotation, anti-extension, and anti-flexion movement patterns are
included in this program.
CONCLUSION
The modern game of ten-pin bowling requires an athlete to have
high levels of physical preparedness to excel. By implementing
the sample training program, an athlete may be able to improve
performance in the sport of ten-pin bowling.
REFERENCES
1. Hsiao, KC, Chen, MC, and Tu, CH. Bowling injuries. Journal of
Orthopedic Surgery Taiwan 13(2): 111-114, 1996.
2. Razman, R, and Cheong, J. Upper limb strength of Malaysian
ten-pin bowlers: Relationship with bowling average and ball
release velocity. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 13(suppl
1): 100-107, 2010.
3. Tan, B, Aziz, AR, and Teh, KC. Correlations between
physiological parameters and performance in elite ten-pin bowlers.
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 3(2): 176-185, 2000.
4. Tan, B, Aziz, AR, Teh, KC, and Lee, HC. Grip strength
measurement in competitive ten-pin bowlers. Journal of Sports
Medicine and Physical Fitness 41(1): 68-72, 2001.
5. Thomas, PR, Schlinker, PJ, and Over, R. Psychological and
psychomotor skills associated with prowess at ten-pin bowling.
Journal of Sports Sciences 14(3): 255-268, 1996.
6. Wiedman, DL. Bowling: Steps to Success. Champaign, IL:
Human Kinetics; 2006.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julian Lim is a strength and conditioning coach at the Singapore
Sports Institute, where he implements sport-specific training
programs for national and elite level athletes. His current portfolio
includes athletes competing in athletics, badminton, basketball,
and bowling. He endeavors to research and utilize evidence-based
strength training principles to enhance an athlete’s sporting
performance. Lim received his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science
from Edith Cowan University and his Master’s degree in Research
from the National Institute of Education in Singapore.

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PREPARING FOR THE NFL COMBINE — A FUNCTIONAL AND MOVEMENT-SPECIFIC
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROGRAM FOR ELITE-LEVEL PLACEKICKERS
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE ELITE TEN-PIN BOWLER
Five-Step Approach (Figure 1): With a five-step approach, step 1
is short. The bowler moves the ball forward on step 2, begins the
drop on 3, and reaches the height of the backswing on step 4.
The ball comes forward on step 5, into a long slide and straight-
arm release.
Forward Mini-Hurdle Hop to Single-Leg Landing (Figure 2): A)
From an athletic position, explosively jump over the mini-hurdle.
B) Prepare to land in a single-leg stance while in mid-air. C)
Absorb the landing on one leg by flexing the hip, knee, and ankle.
Stay in the landing position for 1 s.
Barbell Skater Squat (Figure 3): A) While standing upright
with a barbell across the upper back, shift into a single-
leg stance. B) Slowly extend one leg behind the body
while maintaining a neutral spine. The trail leg should
not be in contact with the ground at any time.
Single-Leg Glute Bridge (Figure 4): A) Begin in a supine position
with the lower back slightly pressed against the ground (posterior
pelvic tilt), one leg in the air, and the other leg planted on the
ground or diagonal surface. B) Initiate the hip extension with the
weight on the heel of the foot. Finish the whole movement with
plantar flexion of the same foot.
Forearm Pronation (with band) (Figure 5): A) Attach the end of
a weighted handle to resistance tubing, and secure the tubing to
an anchor point. Ensure that the forearm is parallel to the floor
at the start of the movement. B) Rotate the forearm and ensure
that sufficient tension is applied to the resistance tubing as the
handle is positioned perpendicular to the floor. Throughout the
movement, ensure that the elbow of the pronating arm is held still
and beside the body as best as possible.
Pretzel Stretch (Figure 6): Hold down the position of the right
knee onto the ground with the left hand. Then, place the right
hand on the left ankle to pull the shoulder across the body in
the opposite direction. Hold this position before switching to the
opposite side.
FIGURE 1. FIVE-STEP APPROACH
FIGURE 4. SINGLE-LEG GLUTE BRIDGE
FIGURE 5. FOREARM PRONATION (WITH BAND)
FIGURE 6. PRETZEL STRETCH
FIGURE 2. FORWARD MINI-HURDLE HOP TO
SINGLE-LEG LANDING
FIGURE 3. BARBELL SKATER SQUAT

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TABLE 1. SAMPLE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROGRAM FOR BOWLERS
EXERCISE SETS X REPETITIONS LOAD REST
PREHABILITATION
EXERCISE
BETWEEN SETS
Forward mini-hurdle
hops to single-leg
landing (Figure 2)
3 x 10 Body mass 2 – 3 min
Barbell skater
squats (Figure 3) 4 x 6 < 67% 1RM 30 – 60 s Monster walks
with bands
Single-arm
dumbbell rows 4 x 6 < 67% 1RM 30 – 60 s “T” and “I” exercises
(with weight plate)
Single-leg glute
bridges (Figure 4) 4 x 10 Body mass 30 – 60 s Pretzel stretch (Figure 6)
Forearm pronation
(with band) (Figure 5) 3 x 10 Self-regulated 30 – 60 s
EXERCISE SETS X
REPETITIONS FOCUS OF EXERCISE
Back extension 2 x 15 Anti-flexion
Dead bug 2 x 10 (each side) Anti-extension/rotation
Bird dog 2 x 10 (each side) Anti-flexion/rotation
Side plank 2 x 45 – 60 s Anti-lateral flexion
TABLE 2. SAMPLE CORE STABILITY PROGRAM FOR BOWLERS