Cricket Fast Bowling Technique and Lumbar Bone Stress Injury

Abstract

Introduction: Lumbar bone stress injuries (LBSI) are the most prevalent injury in cricket.While fast bowling technique has been implicated in the aetiology of LBSI, no previous study has attempted to prospectively analyse fast bowling technique and its relationship to LBSI.The aim of this study was to explore technique differences between elite cricket fast bowlers with and without subsequent LBSI. Methods: Kinematic and kinetic technique parameters previously associated with LBSI were determined for 50 elite male fast bowlers.Group means were compared using independent samples t-tests to identify differences between bowlers with and without a prospective LBSI. Significant parameters were advanced as candidate variables for a binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 50 bowlers, 39 sustained a prospective LBSI. Significant differences were found between injured and non-injured bowlers in: rear knee angle, rear hip angle, thoracolumbar side flexion angle and thoracolumbar rotation angle at back foot contact (BFC); the front hip angle, pelvic tilt orientation and lumbopelvic angle at front foot contact (FFC); the thoracolumbar side flexion angle at ball release and the maximum front hip angle and ipsilateral pelvic drop orientation. A binary logistic model, consisting of rear hip angle at BFC 2 and lumbopelvic angle at FFC, correctly predicted 88% of fast bowlers according to injury history and significantly increased the odds of sustaining an LBSI (odds ratio: 0.88 and 1.25 respectively). Conclusion: Lumbopelvic motion is implicated in the aetiology of LBSI in fast bowling with inadequate lumbo-pelvi-femoral complex control a potential cause. This research will aid the identification of fast bowlers at risk of LBSI, as well as enhancing coaching and rehabilitation of fast bowlers from LBSI.

Lumbar Bone Mineral Adaptation: The Effect of Fast Bowling Technique in Adolescent Cricketers

“…1). During the period between FFC and BR within the bowling action, contralateral side flexion of the whole trunk and pelvis occurs to ensure the bowling arm is in position to release the ball above the head (27). This happens concurrently with lumbopelvic and thoracolumbar flexion and rotations.…”

“…Similarly, local three-dimensional reference frames where the y axis pointed forward, the x axis pointed toward the bowlers right, and the z axis pointed upward along the longitudinal axis of the segment, were determined for 18 segments (head and neck; upper trunk; lower trunk; pelvis; 2× upper arm; 2× lower arm; 2× hand; 2× upper leg; 2× lower leg, and 2× 2-segment feet) using three markers on each segment (16). Global segment orientation and joint angles were calculated as Cardan angles using an xyz sequence (27). The global orientation angles corresponded to: x —tilt, y —drop, and z —twist; with orientations described relative to the bowling side (anterior tilt, contralateral drop, and twist <180°).…”

“…Participants. Thirty-nine adolescent male fast bowlers identified as "fast" if the wicket keeper would normally stand back from the stumps (27) were recruited from professional academies or schools and clubs with well-developed cricket programs. Participants were included if they were aged 14 to 17 yr with at least 2 yr's experience of high-level cricket.…”

“…Peak forces, average loading rates, and impulse in the vertical and horizontal direction were determined (16). Average loading rates were calculated as the peak force divided by the time from initial foot contact to the time of peak force (27). Peak forces, average loading rates and impulses were explored in absolute and normalized terms (using the bowlers' body mass), as it is unknown whether absolute or relative ground reaction force is a contributor to BMD.…”

Validity and reliability of innovative field measurements of tibial accelerations and spinal kinematics during cricket fast bowling

“…Recent match injury incidence further suggests fast bowling was accountable for the most injuries reported, 41.6 injuries/1000 days of play [ 20 ]. Previous research has demonstrated links between fast bowling spinal kinematics and low back pain and injury [ 1 , 40 ]. Furthermore, systematic reviews have concluded that specific spinal kinematics associated with fast bowling are associated with risk of low back pain [ 17 , 25 , 31 ]; therefore, the measurement of cricket fast bowling remains important for injury risk.…”