We had the pleasure of sitting down with Luis Mesquita—physiotherapist, S&C coach, and co-founder of The Peak training facility—whose deep dive into eccentric strength and deceleration performance truly stopped us in our tracks. In this episode, we explore the science behind "putting on the brakes" and why it might just be the performance edge cricketers are missing.

You’ll Learn:

• How deceleration and eccentric strength affect everything from sprinting to bowling, and why the best athletes have the best “brakes.”
• Training methods to develop force quickly without overwhelming athletes—critical for fast bowlers and injury prevention.
• How excess fat and poor fueling sabotage athletic performance, even among elite athletes.
• Why eccentric work in the gym complements—but never replaces—sports-specific training on the pitch.

Key Takeaways:

• Eccentric strength is foundational for elite movement: Athletes who can absorb force quickly—like triple jumpers—perform better and stay healthier, especially in high-impact sports like cricket.
• Jump tests reveal hidden weaknesses: Many cricketers underperform in basic tests like the broad jump, indicating poor force production and transfer—issues that limit bowling speed and power.
• Different athletes need different strength strategies: Not everyone benefits from max strength gains. Elastic, reactive athletes often thrive with speed and plyometric work over heavy lifts.
• Body composition is a performance multiplier: Lean athletes not only move better—they recover faster. Poor body comp often signals deeper issues in professionalism and mindset.
• High-quality reps beat high-volume grinds: Intensity trumps volume when developing speed and reactive strength. Fewer, sharper reps with maximal focus deliver better results than “junk volume.”

Quotes:

“You don’t absorb force—you produce force to break.”

“Better athletes make better cricketers.”

“Technique and physical capacity can’t live without each other.”

Find Luís on:

• Instagram: @luismmesquita

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com