Cricket fast bowling: The relationship between range of motion and key performance and injury technique characteristics.

Fast bowling technique characteristics associated with performance and injury have been established; however, the effect of joint range of motion (ROM) on technique remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate ROM and its effect on fast bowling technique. Eighteen ROM measures and thirteen technique parameters were determined for 45 elite male fast bowlers. Twenty-three significant correlations were found between the shoulder, hip, and ankle ROM measures and technique parameters (r = 0.300-0.452; p < 0.05). Shoulder ROM was observed to have the highest number of correlations with fast bowling technique. Increased internal rotation, less external rotation, and greater total arc of rotation were associated with technique characteristics previously linked with increased ball release speed and decreased lumbar stress injury risk. Although hip and ankle ROM were also correlated with technique, their association is yet to be understood. Future research should aim to determine the impact of ROM on fast bowling movement patterns. This knowledge is likely to be useful in enhancing the coaching and rehabilitation of fast bowlers from lumbar stress injuries.

Injury profiles in elite women's T20 cricket.

OBJECTIVES: To Describe the injury incidence and prevalence during two years of a professional women's T20 cricket tournament. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Injuries were recorded prospectively for 68 matches during a professional women's T20 tournament in 2016 and 2017. There were six teams of 15 players. Participants were female, aged between 16-38 years (mean 23.4±4.8). Time-loss and non time-loss incidence and prevalence were calculated for match days, region, skill group, mode and activity at time of injury. RESULTS: The greatest incidence occurred in the shoulder (1.8 injuries per 100 match days), lower back (1.7 injuries per 100 match days) and knee (1.7 injuries per 100 match days). The highest time-loss prevalence occurred in hand (1.7%), head/face (0.8%) and thigh (0.6%). All head injuries were concussion. Catching related injuries caused the most time-loss (2.5% prevalence) and throwing related shoulder injury had the highest incidence (2.3 injuries per 100 match days). Gradual onset injuries had the highest overall incidence (7.9 injuries per 100 match days). CONCLUSIONS: In elite female T20 cricket, time-loss injuries, particularly impact/traumatic injuries are most likely to occur during fielding, suggesting pitch side support and trauma training is a priority. The high incidence of gradual onset injuries, particularly throwing related shoulder pain, indicates that managing workload and ensuring physical preparedness is vital.

High acute:chronic workloads are associated with injury in England & Wales Cricket Board Development Programme fast bowlers.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to explore the relationship between acute (1 week) and chronic (4-week average) bowling workloads and injury risk in National Development Programme fast bowlers, and to investigate individual differences in the relationship between acute:chronic workloads and injury. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Bowling workloads and injury data were collected prospectively for 29 male fast bowlers (age range 15-18) on a National Programme over two years. Workload variables were calculated and the likelihood of injury and individual effects were explored using a generalised linear mixed effects model and magnitude-based inferences. RESULTS: Acute:chronic workloads of 109-142% (relative risk [RR]: 1.46, 90% CI: 0.93-2.29; likely harmful), and ≥142% (RR: 1.66, 90% CI: 1.06-2.59, likely harmful) were associated with a substantial increase in injury risk compared with the reference quartile (<87%). A high chronic workload (>83 balls) substantially attenuated the influence of a high (>108%) acute:chronic workload ratio on injury risk (RR: 0.35, 90% CI: 0.17-0.74). Significant individual differences in the acute:chronic workload-injury relationship were evident. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides further evidence of the association between 'spikes' in workload and injury risk, but also demonstrates that this relationship is individual-specific and dependent on the level of chronic workload. Support teams for fast bowlers should monitor bowling workloads to avoid rapid fluctuations but should also base decisions on individualised data.