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Cricket fast bowling training and research are often conducted on artificial turf, while matches are played on natural grass. It is unknown if technique differs between the different surfaces; therefore, the aim of this study was to explore if fast bowling technique differed between surfaces. Shoe slip distance and kinematic and temporal parameters previously associated with ball release velocity and lumbar bone stress injury were determined for eight male sub-elite fast bowlers using three-dimensional motion analysis on grass and artificial surfaces. Paired t-test and statistical parametric mapping were used to identify differences in technique between surfaces. Significantly greater slip distance was observed during back and front foot contact on the artificial surface compared to bowling on the grass surface. No kinematic or temporal parameter significantly differed between surfaces, therefore fast bowling technique is likely similar between grass and artificial surfaces, and previous research utilising artificial surfaces in fast bowling research is likely to be valid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Pace bowling is the most injury susceptible position in cricket due to repeated high intensity maneuvers. Previous studies on pace bowlers have considered anthropometric, biomechanical, and kinesiological factors for deciphering the injury etiology. Study purpose. The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the association of body composition parameters with the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among pace bowlers in cricket. Materials and methods. A total of 44 healthy professional male pace bowlers (N=44; Age: 22.89±4.5 years; Height: 176±9 cm; Body weight: 76.34±8.09 kg; BMI: 21.4±3.1) were recruited from various cricket academies. They were assessed on anthropometrics, body composition, and aerobic fitness before the start of Indian cricket season (typically mid-September). Any non-contact sports injury accounting for significant time loss during the season was recorded followed by assessment of change in body composition status among injured and non-injured pace bowlers. Results. We found hamstring injury as the most prevalent injury (05/12). Lower back injury accounted for highest severity with time loss of 48 matches. Injured pace bowlers underwent higher training volume (hours/day; p=.009) prior to injury incidence, were significantly heavier, and had greater volume of total body water. All the pace bowlers gained significant amount of fat-free mass (FFM) from pre- to post-season. Conclusions. Higher training workload and higher body weight were associated with more injury risk among pace bowlers. Further research accommodating other predictive factors of body composition and psychomotor learning must be carried out to precisely predict injury risk among pace bowlers in cricket.

Background. Pace bowling is the most injury susceptible position in cricket due to repeated high intensity maneuvers. Previous studies on pace bowlers have considered anthropometric, biomechanical, and kinesiological factors for deciphering the injury etiology. Study purpose. The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the association of body composition parameters with the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among pace bowlers in cricket. Materials and methods. A total of 44 healthy professional male pace bowlers (N=44; Age: 22.89±4.5 years; Height: 176±9 cm; Body weight: 76.34±8.09 kg; BMI: 21.4±3.1) were recruited from various cricket academies. They were assessed on anthropometrics, body composition, and aerobic fitness before the start of Indian cricket season (typically mid-September). Any non-contact sports injury accounting for significant time loss during the season was recorded followed by assessment of change in body composition status among injured and non-injured pace bowlers. Results. We found hamstring injury as the most prevalent injury (05/12). Lower back injury accounted for highest severity with time loss of 48 matches. Injured pace bowlers underwent higher training volume (hours/day; p=.009) prior to injury incidence, were significantly heavier, and had greater volume of total body water. All the pace bowlers gained significant amount of fat-free mass (FFM) from pre- to post-season. Conclusions. Higher training workload and higher body weight were associated with more injury risk among pace bowlers. Further research accommodating other predictive factors of body composition and psychomotor learning must be carried out to precisely predict injury risk among pace bowlers in cricket. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foot strikes of the pace-bowling delivery stride produce large ground reaction forces, which may be linked to injury, yet the biomechanics of the follow-through are unknown. This study assessed tibial accelerations across the delivery and follow-through foot strikes in pace bowlers and evaluated relationships between these measures and five common pace-bowling intensity metrics. Fifteen sub-elite male pace bowlers performed deliveries at warm-up, match, and maximal intensities. Tibial accelerations were measured using tibial-mounted inertial measurement units and recorded at back- and front-foot initial and re-contacts. A trunk-worn global navigation satellite system unit measured PlayerLoad™, run-up speed, and distance. Ball speed and perceived exertion measures were also recorded. A linear mixed model showed statistical significance of prescribed intensities (p < .001) and foot strike for tibial acceleration (p < .001). Tibial accelerations showed positive increases with changes in prescribed intensity (p < .05). The greatest magnitude of tibial acceleration was found at back foot re-contact (mean ± SD; 1139 ± 319 m/s2). Repeated-measures correlations of tibial acceleration between foot contacts were weak (r = 0.2–0.4). The greatest magnitude of tibial acceleration reported at back foot re-contact may have implications for injury incidence, representing an important avenue for future pace bowling research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have extensively studied the biomechanics and anthropometrics of fast bowling in men's cricket, but there is still limited research in women's cricket. This study describes and compares the anthropometric qualities and bowling biomechanics between elite male and female fast bowlers. An inertial measurement system was used to collect three-dimensional biomechanical data for 20 elite fast bowlers (13 males and seven females). Kinematic data was captured at one step before back foot contact, back foot contact, front foot contact, ball release to one step after ball release. Anthropometric measurements included body segment lengths, mass, body fat (BF%) and muscle mass (MM%). The student t -test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for analyses. Hotelling's T2 statistic was calculated to control Type I error during multiple comparisons (p = 0.045). Males and females differed in overall height, limb length, BF% and MM%. Females presented with slower ball release speeds (p = 0.001). Biomechanically, the females were more front-on when approaching the delivery stride and then initiated pelvis and trunk rotation during the delivery stride, not seen in the males. Females and males have a similar magnitude of trunk side-flexion, but females present with a different strategy than males (p = 0.038). Females presented with increased front knee extension at ball release (p = 0.05). The findings from this study emphasise the differences between male and female fast bowlers and suggest that the coaching principles used in male fast bowling may not be relevant to female fast bowlers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Describe the proportion of upper lumbar bone stress injuries (LBSI; T12-L3) relative to all LBSI, and the clinical presentation and diagnosis of upper LBSI in elite cricketers. Design: Case series. Setting: Professional domestic and international cricket teams over a 9-year period. Participants: Elite Australian cricketers. Independent Variables: Symptomatic upper LBSI diagnosed based on clinical findings and medical imaging. Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence, injury history, and clinical management. Results: Twenty-four pace bowlers (22 male and 2 female) sustained 39 cases of upper LBSI (T12:2, L1:3, L2:20, L3:14). Upper lumbar vertebrae were involved in 41% (95% CI 31-51) of all LBSI in this cohort. Twenty-seven (69%, 54-81) cases had an injury that occurred only on the side contralateral to the bowling arm. Ipsilateral injuries tended to occur secondary to a contralateral nonunited defect. In all 7 cases with known radiology follow-up that had a contralateral then ipsilateral LBSI, the contralateral injury did not achieve bony union before the onset of the ipsilateral LBSI. For stress fractures with imaging follow-up, those who achieved bony union took longer to return to bowling training [median 152 days (IQR 117-188)], compared to those who achieved partial or no union [median 68 days (IQR 46-115)]. Conclusions: Upper LBSI in elite cricketers occurs in approximately 2 out of 5 cases of LBSI. Clinicians should allow sufficient time for upper LBSI to resolve and unite (if a fracture) because cases that returned to bowling training earlier were less likely to achieve bony union, and those that failed to unite commonly went on to have a recurrent LBSI. Level of Evidence: Therapy/prognosis/diagnosis level 2b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lumbar bone stress injuries (LBSI) are the most prevalent injury in cricket. Although fast bowling technique has been implicated in the etiology of LBSI, no previous study has attempted to prospectively analyze 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 noninjured bowlers in rear knee angle, rear hip angle, thoracolumbar side flexion angle, and thoracolumbar rotation angle at back foot contact; the front hip angle, pelvic tilt orientation, and lumbopelvic angle at front foot contact; and the thoracolumbar side flexion angle at ball release and the maximal front hip angle and ipsilateral pelvic drop orientation. A binary logistic model, consisting of rear hip angle at back foot contact and lumbopelvic angle at front foot contact, 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). Conclusions: Lumbopelvic motion is implicated in the etiology of LBSI in fast bowling, with inadequate lumbopelvifemoral complex control as 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Comparative reliability and prospective validity.Objective: First, to evaluate the reliability of four methods of assessing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) bone marrow edema (BMO) of the posterior vertebral arch of the lumbar vertebrae of elite junior fast bowlers. Second, to evaluate the validity of the most reliable method for the early detection of lumbar bone stress injury.Summary Of Background Data: MRI has demonstrated utility in identifying BMO in lumbar vertebrae. Methods to grade the severity of BMO may provide valuable insight to inform clinical management, particularly in elite athletes where detection of early-stage bone stress may prevent progression to more severe and costly bone stress injury.Methods: Sixty-five male elite junior fast bowlers had repeat MRI scans during a cricket season. A subset of 19 bowlers' images were reassessed by experienced musculoskeletal radiologists to determine intra- and inter-rater reliability. All images were aligned with independent medical records of lower back symptoms and diagnosed bone stress injuries to establish the relationship of BMO and lumbar bone stress injury.Results: Clinical detection of abnormal BMO, whether the pars region of the vertebra was considered in its entirety or subdivided into regions, had fair-to-moderate inter-rater reliability, and fair-to-almost perfect intra-rater reliability. Measurement of BMO signal intensity using an imaging software tool had excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.848, 0.837). BMO signal intensity was positively associated with subsequent LBSI (P < 0.001), and differentiated between asymptomatic and symptomatic bowlers (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Measurement of BMO signal intensity using an imaging software tool proved a reliable and valid measure of the severity of lumbar bone stress injury in elite junior fast bowlers.Level Of Evidence: 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]