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Br J Sports Med doi:10.1136/bjsm.2008.046698

Using field-based tests to identify injury risk factors for fast bowlers in cricket

  1. Rebecca J Dennis (rebecca.dennis{at}unsw.edu.au)
  1. University of New South Wales, University of Ballarat, Australia
    1. Caroline F Finch (c.finch{at}ballarat.edu.au)
    1. University of Ballarat, Australia
      1. Andrew S McIntosh (a.mcintosh{at}unsw.edu.au)
      1. University of New South Wales, Australia
        1. Bruce C Elliott (bruce.elliott{at}uwa.edu.au)
        1. University of Western Australia, Australia
          • Published Online First 7 April 2008

          Abstract

          Objective: To identify risk factors for injury to cricket fast bowlers using field-based tests.

          Design: Prospective cohort study.

          Setting: High performance Australian cricket.

          Participants: Ninety-one male adolescent and adult fast bowlers (aged 12 - 33 years).

          Assessment of risk factors: A field-based pre-participation screening, consisting of musculoskeletal, fitness and anthropometric assessments and analysis of bowling technique was undertaken. Bowlers were prospectively monitored over the 2003-04 season and bowling workload and injuries were recorded. Logistic regression was used to identify injury risk factors.

          Main outcome measurement: Repetitive microtrauma injury to the trunk, back or lower limb, associated with fast bowling.

          Results: Two variables were identified as independent predictors of injury in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Bowlers with hip internal rotation of ≤30° on the leg ipsilateral to the bowling arm were at a significantly reduced risk of injury (OR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.73) compared with bowlers with >40° of rotation. Bowlers with an ankle dorsiflexion lunge of 12.1 - 14.0cm on the leg contralateral to the bowling arm were at a significantly increased risk (OR = 4.03, 95% CI 1.07 to 15.21), as compared with bowlers with a lunge of >14cm. Bowlers with a lunge of ≤12cm were also at an increased risk, but not significantly so (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 0.40 to 4.84).

          Conclusions: Biomechanical research is needed to investigate how these two intrinsic risk factors increase injury risk, so that appropriate interventions can be developed.

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