The Impact of COVID-19 Related Disruption on Injury Rates in Elite Men’s Domestic Cricket

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 enforced prolonged training disruption and shortened competitive season, on in-season injury and illness rates. Injury incidence and percent proportion was calculated for the 2020 elite senior men’s domestic cricket season and compared to a historical average from five previous regular seasons (2015 to 2019 inclusive). The injury profile for the shortened 2020 season was generally equivalent to what would be expected in a regular season, except for a significant increase in medical illness as a proportion of time loss (17% compared to historic average of 6%) and in-season days lost (9% compared to historic average of 3%) due to COVID-19 related instances (most notably precautionary isolation due to contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case). There was a significant increase in the proportion of in-season days lost to thigh injuries (24% compared to 9%) and a significant decrease in the proportion of days lost to hand (4% compared to 12%) and lumbar spine (7% compared to 21%) injuries. These findings enhance understanding of the impact prolonged period of training disruption and shortened season can have on cricket injuries and the challenges faced by practitioners under such circumstances.

Impact of COVID on Sports Injury Patterns, Changes in Mental Well-Being, and Strategies to Prepare for Future Pandemics in Sport

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Injury Rates at an NCAA Division I Institution After the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Descriptive Epidemiological Study

“…Similarly, the injury incidence and profile for United Kingdom domestic men's cricket were comparable to those of previous seasons. 11 These findings suggest that the COVID-19 lockdown did not have a universal impact on injury rates for all highlevel athletes. Thus, to assess the risk athletes faced returning to play during the abnormal 2020 season, it is important to analyze unique competition settings and levels across sexes and sports type.…”