Fast Bowling Research Articles

Lumbopelvic muscle activation patterns in adolescent fast bowlers

Introduction: Adolescent fast bowlers are prone to sustaining lumbar injuries. Numerous components have been identified as contributing factors; however, there is limited empirical evidence outlining how the muscles of the lumbopelvic region, which play a vital role in stabilising the spine, function during the bowling action and the influence of such activation on injuries in the fast bowler. Methods: Surface electromyography was utilised to measure the function of the lumbar erector spinae, lumbar multifidus, gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles bilaterally during the fast bowling action in a group of 35 cricket fast bowlers aged 12–16 years. Results: Two prominent periods of activation occurred in each of the muscles examined. The period of greatest mean activation in the erector spinae and multifidus occurred near back foot contact (BFC) and within the post-ball-release (BR) phase. The period of greatest mean activation for the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus occurred during phases of ipsilateral foot contact. Discussion: The greatest periods of muscle activation in the paraspinal and gluteal muscles occurred at times where vertical forces were high such as BFC, and in the phases near BR where substantial shear forces are present. Conclusion: The posterior muscles within the lumbopelvic region appear to play a prominent role during the bowling action, specifically when compressive and shear forces are high. Further research is required to substantiate these findings and establish the role of the lumbopelvic muscles in the aetiology of lumbar injury in the cricket fast bowler.

The effect of elbow hyperextension on ball speed in cricket fast bowling

ABSTRACTThis study investigates how elbow hyperextension affects ball release speed in fast bowling. A two-segment planar computer simulation model comprising an upper arm and forearm + hand was customised to an elite fast bowler. A constant torque was applied at the shoulder and elbow hyperextension was represented using a damped linear torsional spring at the elbow. The magnitude of the constant shoulder torque and the torsional spring parameters were determined by concurrently matching three performances. Close agreement was found between the simulations and the performances with an average difference of 3.8%. The simulation model with these parameter values was then evaluated using one additional performance. Optimising ball speed by varying the torsional spring parameters found that elbow hyperextension increased ball release speed. Perturbing the elbow torsional spring stiffness indicated that the increase in ball release speed was governed by the magnitude of peak elbow hyperextension and the amount that the elbow recoils back towards a straight arm after reaching peak elbow hyperextension. This finding provides a clear understanding that a bowler who hyperextends at the elbow and recoils optimally will have an increase in ball speed compared to a similar bowler who cannot hyperextend. A fast bowler with 20° of elbow hyperextension and an optimal level of recoil will have increased ball speeds of around 5% over a bowler without hyperextension.

Does maximising ball speed in cricket fast bowling necessitate higher ground reaction forces?

This study aimed to investigate whether high peak ground reaction forces and high average loading rates are necessary to bowl fast. Kinematic and kinetic bowling data were collected for 20 elite male fast bowlers. A moderate non-significant correlation was found between ball speed and peak vertical ground reaction force with faster bowlers tending to have lower peak vertical ground reaction force (r = −0.364, P = 0.114). Faster ball speeds were correlated with both lower average vertical and lower average horizontal loading rates (r = −0.452, P = 0.046 and r = −0.484, P = 0.031, respectively). A larger horizontal (braking) impulse was associated with a faster ball speed (r = 0.574, P = 0.008) and a larger plant angle of the front leg (measured from the vertical) at front foot contact was associated with a larger horizontal impulse (r = 0.706, P = 0.001). These findings suggest that there does not necessarily need to be a trade-off between maximum ball release speed and the forces exerted on fast bowlers (peak ground reaction forces and average loading rates). Furthermore, it appears that one of the key determinants of ball speed is the horizontal impulse generated at the ground over the period from front foot contact until ball release.

Symmetry, not asymmetry, of abdominal muscle morphology is associated with low back pain in cricket fast bowlers.

Although abdominal muscle morphology is symmetrical in the general population, asymmetry has been identified in rotation sports. This asymmetry includes greater thickness of obliquus internus abdominis (OI) on the non-dominant side in cricketers. Cricket fast bowlers commonly experience low back pain (LBP) related to bowling action, and this depends on trunk muscle control. This study aimed to compare abdominal muscle thickness between fast bowlers with and without LBP. Cross sectional descriptive study. Twenty-five adolescent provincial league specialist fast bowlers (16 with and 9 without LBP) participated. Static ultrasound images (US) of OI, and obliquus externus (OE) and transversus abdominis (TrA) were captured on the dominant and non-dominant side in supine. Total combined thickness of OE, OI and TrA muscles was greater on the non-dominant than dominant side (p=0.02) for fast bowlers without LBP, but symmetrical for those with pain. Total thickness was less on the non-dominant side for bowlers with pain than those without (p=0.03). When individual muscles were compared, only the thickness of OI was less in bowlers with LBP than those without (p=0.02). All abdominal muscles were thicker on the non-dominant side in controls (p<0.001) but symmetrical in LBP. Asymmetry of abdominal muscle thickness in fast bowlers is explained by the asymmetrical biomechanics of fast bowling. Lesser OI muscle thickness in fast bowlers with LBP suggests modified trunk control in the transverse/frontal plane and may underpin the incidence of lumbar pathology. The implications for rehabilitation following LBP in fast bowlers require further investigation.

Variability of PlayerLoad, Bowling Velocity, and Performance Execution in Fast Bowlers Across Repeated Bowling Spells.

The use of wearable microtechnology to monitor the external load of fast bowling is challenged by the inherent variability of bowling techniques between bowlers. This study assessed the between-bowlers variability in PlayerLoad, bowling velocity, and performance execution across repeated bowling spells. Seven national-level fast bowlers completed two 6-over bowling spells at a batter during a competitive training session. Key dependent variables were PlayerLoad calculated with a MinimaxX microtechnology unit, ball velocity, and bowling execution based on a predetermined bowling strategy for each ball bowled. The between-bowlers coefficient of variation (CV), repeated-measures ANOVA, and smallest worthwhile change were calculated over the 2 repeated 6-over bowling spells and explored across 12-over, 6-over, and 3-over bowling segments. From the sum of 6 consecutive balls, the between-bowlers CV for relative peak PlayerLoad was 1.2% over the 12-over bowling spell (P = .15). During this 12-over period, bowling-execution (P = .43) scores and ball-velocity (P = .31) CVs were calculated as 46.0% and 0.4%, respectively. PlayerLoad was found to be stable across the repeated bowling spells in the fast-bowling cohort. Measures of variability and change across the repeated bowling spells were consistent with the performance measure of ball velocity. The stability of PlayerLoad improved when assessed relative to the individual's peak PlayerLoad. Only bowling-execution measures were found to have high variability across the repeated bowling spells. Player- Load provides a stable measure of external workload between fast bowlers.

Cricket fast bowling workload patterns as risk factors for tendon, muscle, bone and joint injuries

ObjectiveTo assess workload-related risk factors for injuries to particular tissue types in cricket fast bowlers.Design235 fast bowlers who bowled in 14600 player innings over a period of 15 years were...

The influence of elbow joint kinematics on wrist speed in cricket fast bowling

This modelling study sought to describe the relationships between elbow joint kinematics and wrist joint linear velocity in cricket fast bowlers, and to assess the sensitivity of wrist velocity to systematic manipulations of empirical joint kinematic profiles. A 12-camera Vicon motion analysis system operating at 250 Hz recorded the bowling actions of 12 high performance fast bowlers. Empirical elbow joint kinematic data were entered into a cricket bowling specific “Forward Kinematic Model” and then subsequently underwent fixed angle, angular offset and angle amplification manipulations. A combination of 20° flexion and 20° abduction at the elbow was shown to maximise wrist velocity within the experimental limits. An increased elbow flexion offset manipulation elicited an increase in wrist velocity. Amplification of elbow joint flexion–extension angular displacement indicated that, contrary to previous research, elbow extension range of motion and angular velocity at the time of ball release were negatively related to wrist velocity. Some relationships between manipulated joint angular waveforms and wrist velocity were non-linear, supporting the use of a model that accounts for the non-linear relationships between execution and outcome variables in assessing the relationships between elbow joint kinematics and wrist joint velocity in cricket fast bowlers.

Kinetics Analysis of Pelvis, Thorax, and Bowling Arm in Cricket Bowling

ABSTRACT In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) dynamics model of the human body was developed to analyze the motion of fast bowling in cricket. Nine fast bowlers (22.4 ± 3.2 years) were selected from high-level regional cricket to bowl a series of balls at a target placed approximately on a ‘good length’ in line with the wickets, while their bowling actions were captured by a 10-camera 240 Hz motion analysis system (Motion Analysis Corp.). Motion analysis data were obtained from the tracked markers on the bowler strategically placed on the body to define a 3D joint coordinate system for each segment. Two Bertec force plates were used to measure the ground reaction forces. The resulting kinematic and force plate data of the fastest ball were fed into a computer model designed using the Mechanical Systems Pack (Wolfram Research, Inc., V. 5.2), a set of Mathematica packages written for the analysis of spatial rigid body mechanisms, implementing a dynamics formulation with Lagrangian multipliers. The computer model gave a 3D representation of the human body as a system of 15 rigid body segments with mass and inertia properties. Inverse solution dynamics were calculated to generalize certain fundamental aspects of the pelvis, thorax and bowling arm during fast bowling. How to cite this article Ferdinands R. Kinetics Analysis of Pelvis, Thorax, and Bowling Arm in Cricket Bowling. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2015;49(4):159-163.

Cricket Biomechanics Analysis of Skilled and Amateur Fast Bowling Techniques

ABSTRACT Cricket fast bowling action involves complex three-dimensional (3D) motion of the body and poses a high risk of injury more so in schoolboys. It is not known how the bowling technique varies between skilled and less skilled fast bowlers. The aim of this study is to compare the differences in bowling technique between young sub-elite (skilled) and amateur university level cricketers. Twelve players, 6 skilled and six amateur, were attached with 35 retro-reflective markers using the full body Plug-in-Gait marker set and asked to bowl 6 deliveries at a good length. Their bowling action was captured with 12 Vicon 3D cameras and the ground reaction force was measured using AMTI force plates. The best delivery from each bowler was selected. Their bowling action types were classified and parameters like shoulder counter rotation (scr), pelvicshoulder separation angle at back foot contact, trunk lateral flexion, front knee angle, front foot vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) and ball release speed were measured. The results were analyzed with Levene's test for Equality of Variances and a t-test for equality of means. The skilled bowlers showed faster ball release speed and experienced larger vGRF while the other parameters did not show any significant differences. How to cite this article Thiagarajan KA, Parikh T, Sayed A, Gnanavel MB, Arumugam S. Cricket Biomechanics Analysis of Skilled and Amateur Fast Bowling Techniques. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2015;49(4):173-181.

Fast bowling match workloads over 5-26 days and risk of injury in the following month.

This study examined whether high match fast bowling workloads in the short to medium term were associated with increased bowling injury rates. Prospective cohort study. Over a 15 year period, workload patterns for 235 individual fast bowlers during time periods from 5 to 26 days were examined to consider whether there was an increased injury rate during the month (28 days) subsequent to the workload. Fast bowlers who bowled more than 50 match overs in a 5 day period had a significant increase in injury over the next month compared to bowlers who bowled 50 overs or less RR 1.54 (95% CI 1.04-2.29). For periods ranging from 12 to 26 days, there was no statistically-significant increase in injury over the next month from exceeding thresholds of certain amounts of overs, although bowlers who bowled more than 100 overs in 17 days had a non-significant increase in injury over the next month RR 1.78 (95% CI 0.90-3.50). There were no statistically-significant increases in subsequent injury risk for high workloads for periods of 12-26 days, although exceeding 100 overs in 17 days (or less) was associated with higher injury rates. Compression of cricket fixtures is likely to have only a minimal contribution to increased fast bowling injury rates being seen in the T20 era (along with sudden workload increases due to transferring between forms of the game, which has been previously established as a major contributor).

The Athletic Profile of Fast Bowling in Cricket

Cricket is a global sport played in over 100 countries with elite performers attracting multimillion dollar contracts. Therefore, performers maintaining optimum physical fitness and remaining injury free is important. Fast bowlers have a vital position in a cricket team, and there is an increasing body of scientific literature that has reviewed this role over the past decade. Previous research on fast bowlers has tended to focus on biomechanical analysis and injury prevention in performers. However, this review aims to critically analyze the emerging contribution of physiological-based literature linked to fast bowling in cricket, highlight the current evidence related to simulated and competitive in-match performance, and relate this practically to the conditioning coach. Furthermore, the review considers limitations with past research and possible avenues for future investigation. It is clear with the advent of new applied mobile monitoring technology that there is scope for more ecologically valid and longitudinal exploration capturing in-match data, providing quantification of physiological workloads, and analysis of the physical demands across the differing formats of the game. Currently, strength and conditioning specialists do not have a critical academic resource with which to shape professional practice, and this review aims to provide a starting point for evidence in the specific area.

Rear leg kinematics and kinetics in cricket fast bowling

The purpose of this study was to analyse the kinematics and kinetics of the rear leg drive in fast bowling, and then investigate whether any of these variables were associated with ball release speed. Eighteen young fast bowlers (17.2 ± 1.7 years) were recruited from the Cricket New South Wales development squad, and their bowling actions were captured by a Cortex 2.0 motion analysis system (200 Hz). Bivariate Pearson's product-movement correlation coefficients were calculated in SPSS (Version 17.0) to assess the relationships between wrist speed (of the bowling hand) and the kinematics and kinetics variables corresponding with rear leg motion. A number of kinematic variables were correlated with bowling wrist speed, most of them during the delivery stride, including mean thigh extension angular velocity (r = 0.606, p = 0.008), thigh adduction angular velocity at back foot contact (r = 0.515, p = 0.029) and maximum change in knee extension angular velocity (r = 0.559, p = 0.016). This study also showed th...

The impact of centre of mass kinematics and ground reaction forces on ball release speeds in cricket fast bowling

The aims of this study were to verify previously reported relationships between whole-body centre of mass kinematics and ball release speed, and establish whether the ‘checking of linear motion’ or ‘hinged-moment’ principle is a valid biomechanical principle governing cricket fast bowling. Three-dimensional, full-body kinematic and ground reaction force data were collected from a group of 20 male high-performance English fast bowlers using an 18-camera Vicon® M2 MCam motion capture system and an interfaced Kistler® 9287B force platform. Ball release speed was found to be moderately correlated with the horizontal velocity of the centre of mass at back foot contact (r = 0.499, p = 0.025), the average horizontal acceleration of the centre of mass during the front foot contact to ball release phase (r = − 0.544, p = 0.013), the change in horizontal velocity of the centre of mass during the front foot contact to ball release phase (r = 0.658, p = 0.002), but not the duration of the front foot contact to ball r...

Surface electromyographic analysis of the biceps brachii muscle of cricket bowlers during bowling

Cricket bowling generates forces with torques on the upper limb muscles and makes the biceps brachii (BB) muscle vulnerable to overuse injury. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are differences in the amplitude of the EMG signal of the BB muscle during fast and spin delivery, during the seven phases of both types of bowling and the kinesiological interpretation of the bowling arm for muscle contraction mechanisms during bowling. A group of 16 male amateur bowlers participated in this study, among them 8 fast bowlers (FB) and 8 spin bowlers (SB). The root mean square (EMGRMS), the average sEMG (EMGAVG), the maximum peak amplitude (EMGpeak), and the variability of the signal were calculated using the coefficient of variance (EMGCV) from the BB muscle of each bowler (FB and SB) during each bowling phase. The results demonstrate that, (i) the BB muscle is more active during FB than during SB, (ii) the point of ball release and follow-through generated higher signals than the other five movements during both bowling categories, (iii) the BB muscle variability is higher during SB compared with FB, (iv) four statistically significant differences (p<0.05) found between the bowling phases in fast bowling and three in spin bowling, and (v) several arm mechanics occurred for muscle contraction. There are possible clinical significances from the outcomes; like, recurring dynamic contractions on BB muscle can facilitate to clarify the maximum occurrence of shoulder pain as well as biceps tendonitis those are medically observed in professional cricket bowlers, and treatment methods with specific injury prevention programmes should focus on the different bowling phases with the maximum muscle effect. Finally, these considerations will be of particular importance in assessing different physical therapy on bowler's muscle which can improve the ball delivery performance and stability of cricket bowlers.

A Comparative Study on selected psychomotor abilities between male baseball pitcher and cricket fast bowler

The aim of this study is to find out the significant differences of selected Psychomotor Abilities between male Baseball pitcher and cricket fast bowler. A group of thirty (N=30) male subjects aged between 18-28 years, who participated in intercollege competitions organized by the Department of Sports, Guru Nanak Dev University, volunteered to participate in this study were selected for this study. The purposive sampling technique was used to attain the objectives of the study. All the subjects, after having been informed about the objective and protocol of the study, gave their consent and volunteered to participate in this study. They were further divided into two groups of 15each (i.e., N1=15; pitcher and N2=15; fast bowler). The “t” test was applied to find out the significant differences between male Baseball pitcher and cricket fast bowler. To test the hypotheses, the level of significance was set at 0.05. The results revealed significant differences between Baseball pitcher and cricket fast bowler on the sub-variables i.e. speed, agility and Cardiovascular Endurance. However, no significant differences were noticed with regard to the sub-variables i.e. strength and static balance.

Effects of Footwear on Lead Limb Knee and Ankle Joint Kinematics in a Fast Bowler With a History of Posterior Ankle Joint Impingement—A Case Report

This case study reports the kinematic effect of 2 different cricket shoes on a fast bowler who reports a history of posterior ankle joint impingement. The participant bowled 6 trials in 2 pairs of cricket shoes. The 3-dimensional kinematics of the joints of the front leg was quantified during stance phase of the delivery stride. Wearing the high-cut shoe resulted in the ankle being 7.7-degree angle more plantarflexed at initial contact compared with the low-cut shoe. Again, when wearing the high-cut shoe compared with the low-cut shoe, the ankle joint was 15.5-degree angle more adducted and the knee was 4.1-degree angle less externally rotated at initial contact. This case study identifies the bowler's preferred shoe (high-cut shoe) as a potential contributing factor to the symptoms he was experiencing.

An Integrated Approach to the Biomechanics and Motor Control of Cricket Fast Bowling Techniques

To date, scientific investigations into the biomechanical aspects of cricket fast bowling techniques have predominantly focused on identifying the mechanical factors that may predispose fast bowlers to lower back injury with a relative paucity of research being conducted on the technical features that underpin proficient fast bowling performance. In this review paper, we critique the scientific literature examining fast bowling performance. We argue that, although many published investigations have provided some useful insights into the biomechanical factors that contribute to a high ball release speed and, to a lesser extent, bowling accuracy, this research has not made a substantive contribution to knowledge enhancement and has only had a very minor influence on coaching practice. To significantly enhance understanding of cricket fast bowling techniques and, therefore, have greater impact on practice, we recommend that future scientific research adopts an interdisciplinary focus, integrating biomechanical measurements with the analytical tools and concepts of dynamical systems motor control theory. The use of qualitative (topological) analysis techniques, in particular, promises to increase understanding of the coordinative movement patterns that define 'technique' in cricket fast bowling and potentially help distinguish between functional and dysfunctional aspects of technique for individual fast bowlers.

Wicket-Keeping in Cricket: A Literature Review

Cricket is unique in that three formats of the game, of varying duration and intensity are played at elite level; Test, One Day and Twenty20 (T20) cricket. The wicket-keeper is a vital member of the fielding side; the only player who could be involved with every delivery of the innings. Despite this, there is a paucity of literature on wicket-keeping, with most research having focused on fast bowling and batting. This review is principally concerned with identifying the performance demands associated with wicket-keeping and the conditioning of these cricketers. To appreciate the performance demands of wicket-keeping, an integrated approach has been taken where the mental, technical, physiological, physical and tactical requirements of wicket-keeping are discussed. From this information, recommendations are made and suggestions for future research detailed.

Cricket Fast Bowlers Without Low Back Pain Have Larger Quadratus Lumborum Asymmetry Than Injured Bowlers

The objective of the study was to determine the magnitude and side of quadratus lumborum (QL) asymmetries in elite, adult, cricket fast bowlers and the relationship with lumbar spine injury. Cohort study. Cricket fast bowers had magnetic resonance (MR) scans at the start of a cricket season and their injury characteristics over the next cricket season were compared with the amount of QL asymmetry. Twenty-three elite, asymptomatic, adult, cricket fast bowlers. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of QL was measured using MR imaging. The association between side-to-side differences in CSA (asymmetry) was evaluated as a possible risk factor for development of lumbar spine injury. The main outcome measurements were QL CSA and asymmetry in relation to lumbar spine injury in cricket fast bowlers. There were a greater proportion of dominant- (bowling arm) side asymmetries (65%). Asymmetry magnitudes that favored the dominant side were not significantly larger than those on the nondominant side. Four participants who had bone oedema on MR imaging preseason went on to develop symptomatic lumbar stress fractures. Participants with no lumbar spine injury had significantly larger QL asymmetries than those who sustained lumbar spine injury. Cricket fast bowlers demonstrated asymmetrical QL development, which may be related to the trunk positions adopted in the fast bowling technique. Uninjured bowlers had larger asymmetries than those who developed lumbar spine injury, which is contrary to some previous research.

Kinetic Sensitivity of a New Lumbo-Pelvic Model to Variation in Segment Parameter Input

This study aimed to assess variability in lumbo-pelvic forces and moments during a dynamic high-impact activity (cricket fast bowling) when calculated using different body segment parameters (BSPs). The first three BSPs were estimated using methods where the trunk was divided into segments according to nonspinal anatomical landmarks. The final approach defined segment boundaries according to vertebral level. Three-dimensional motion analysis data from nine male cricketers' bowling trials were processed using the four BSPs. A repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed no significant effect on peak lumbo-pelvic forces. However, the segmentation approach based on vertebral level resulted in significantly larger peak flexion and lateral flexion moments than the other BSP data sets. This has implications for comparisons between studies using different BSPs. Further, given that a method defined with reference to vertebral level more closely corresponds with relevant anatomical structures, this approach may more accurately reflect lumbar moments.