Fast Bowlers Research Articles

A FIVE-YEAR INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENCE AND NATURE OF CRICKET INJURIES IN ELITE SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLBOY CRICKETERS

BackgroundInjury surveillance is fundamental to understanding, preventing and reducing the risk of injury.ObjectivesThe objective was to determine the incidence of injuries sustained by elite schoolboy cricketers over five-seasons in order...

Increased delivery stride length places greater loads on the ankle joint in elite male cricket fast bowlers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect stride length has on ankle biomechanics of the leading leg with reference to the potential risk of injury in cricket fast bowlers. Ankle joint kinematic and kinetic data were collected from 51 male fast bowlers during the stance phase of the final delivery stride. The bowling cohort comprised national under-19, first class and international-level athletes. Bowlers were placed into either Short, Average or Long groups based on final stride length, allowing statistical differences to be measured. A multivariate analysis of variance with a Bonferroni post-hoc correction (α = 0.05) revealed significant differences between peak plantarflexion angles (Short-Long P = 0.005, Average and Long P = 0.04) and negative joint work (Average-Long P = 0.026). This study highlighted that during fast bowling the ankle joint of the leading leg experiences high forces under wide ranges of movement. As stride length increases, greater amounts of negative work and plantarflexion are experienced. These increases place greater loads on the ankle joint and move the foot into positions that make it more susceptible to injuries such as posterior impingement syndrome.

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.

Spikes in acute workload are associated with increased injury risk in elite cricket fast bowlers

Objective To determine if the comparison of acute and chronic workload is associated with increased injury risk in elite cricket fast bowlers. Methods Data were collected from 28 fast bowlers who completed a total of 43 individual seasons over a 6-year period. Workloads were estimated by summarising the total number of balls bowled per week (external workload), and by multiplying the session rating of perceived exertion by the session duration (internal workload). One-week data (acute workload), together with 4-week rolling average data (chronic workload), were calculated for external and internal workloads. The size of the acute workload in relation to the chronic workload provided either a negative or positive trainingstress balance. Results A negative training-stress balance was associated with an increased risk of injury in the week after exposure, for internal workload (relative risk (RR) =2.2 (CI 1.91 to 2.53), p=0.009), and external workload (RR=2.1 (CI 1.81 to 2.44), p=0.01). Fast bowlers with an internal workload training-stress balance of greater than 200% had a RR of injury of 4.5 (CI 3.43 to 5.90, p=0.009) compared with those with a training-stress balance between 50% and 99%. Fast bowlers with an external workload training-stress balance of more than 200% had a RR of injury of 3.3 (CI 1.50 to 7.25, p=0.033) in comparison to fast bowlers with an external workload training-stress balance between 50% and 99%. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that large increases in acute workload are associated with increased injury risk in elite cricket fast bowlers.

Static and dynamic balance ability, lumbo-pelvic movement control and injury incidence in cricket pace bowlers

This study aimed to establish the difference in lumbo-pelvic movement control, static and dynamic balance at the start and at the end of a cricket season in pace bowlers who sustained an injury during the season and those who did not. This is a longitudinal, observational study. Thirty-two, healthy, injury free, male premier league fast, fast-medium and medium pace bowlers between the ages of 18 and 26 years (mean age 21.8 years, standard deviation 1.8 years) participated in the study. The main outcome measures were injury incidence, lumbo-pelvic movement control, static and dynamic balance ability. Fifty-three percent of the bowlers (n=17) sustained injuries during the reviewed cricket season. Lumbo-pelvic movement control tests could not discriminate between bowlers who sustained an injury during the cricket season and bowlers who did not. However, performance in the single leg balance test (p=0.03; confidence interval 4.74-29.24) and the star excursion balance test (p=0.02; confidence interval 1.28-11.93) as measured at the start of the season was better in bowlers who did not sustain an injury during the season. The improvement in the lumbo-pelvic movement control and balance tests suggests that the intensity and type of physical conditioning that happens throughout the season may have been responsible for this improvement. Poor performance in the single leg balance test and the star excursion balance test at the start of the cricket season may be an indication that a bowler is at heightened risk of injury.

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.

Spikes in acute workload are associated with increased injury risk in elite cricket fast bowlers

ObjectiveTo determine if the comparison of acute and chronic workload is associated with increased injury risk in elite cricket fast bowlers.MethodsData were collected from 28 fast bowlers who completed a...

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.

Acquisition of expertise in cricket fast bowling: Perceptions of expert players and coaches

Experiential knowledge of elite athletes and coaches was investigated to reveal insights on expertise acquisition in cricket fast bowling. Twenty-one past or present elite cricket fast bowlers and coaches of national or international level were interviewed using an in-depth, open-ended, semi-structured approach. Participants were asked about specific factors which they believed were markers of fast bowling expertise potential. Of specific interest was the relative importance of each potential component of fast bowling expertise and how components interacted or developed over time. The importance of intrinsic motivation early in development was highlighted, along with physical, psychological and technical attributes. Results supported a multiplicative and interactive complex systems model of talent development in fast bowling, in which component weightings were varied due to individual differences in potential experts. Dropout rates in potential experts were attributed to misconceived current talent identification programmes and coaching practices, early maturation and physical attributes, injuries and lack of key psychological attributes and skills. Data are consistent with a dynamical systems model of expertise acquisition in fast bowling, with numerous trajectories available for talent development. Further work is needed to relate experiential and theoretical knowledge on expertise in other sports.

Lumbo-Pelvic Biomechanics and Quadratus Lumborum Asymmetry in Cricket Fast Bowlers

This study aimed to analyze lumbo-pelvic lateral flexion kinematics and kinetics in junior fast bowlers and compare bowlers with varying quadratus lumborum (QL) cross-sectional area (CSA) asymmetry profiles. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine QL CSA of 39 participants who also underwent three-dimensional analysis of their bowling action. Bowlers with greater than 10% QL asymmetry (n = 26) experienced a larger peak lumbo-pelvic lateral flexion; angle (21.6° ± 4.2°), angular velocity (314.9°·s ± 86.6°·s), moment (12.8 ± 2.5 N·m·kg·m), positive power (25.6 ± 12.6 W·kg·m), and negative power (48.6 ± 20.9 W·kg·m) compared with the bowlers with less than 10% asymmetry (n = 13) (angle = 18.1° ± 1.9°, angular velocity = 243.8°·s ± 64.9°·s, moment = 10.4 ± 2.8 N·m·kg·m, positive power = 14.7 ± 7.4 W·kg·m, and negative power = 33.8 ± 17.7 W·kg·m; P < 0.05). Fast bowlers with QL CSA asymmetry in excess of 10% experience increased lumbo-pelvic lateral flexion loads during bowling. As increased lateral flexion loads may increase the risk of spondylolysis development, the presence of large QL asymmetry may be a useful screening tool for identifying bowlers at risk of developing lumbar spondylolysis.

International cricket injury surveillance: a report of five teams competing in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

BackgroundInjury surveillance is the cornerstone of effective injury management. However, to date no studies using recommended methods and involving multiple nations have been conducted within International Cricket.AimTo conduct injury surveillance...

Relationships Between Fast Bowling Technique and Ball Release Speed in Cricket

The aim of this study was to identify the key aspects of technique that characterize the fastest bowlers. Kinematic data were collected for 20 elite male fast bowlers with 11 kinematic parameters calculated, describing elements of fast bowling technique that have previously been linked to ball release speed. Four technique variables were identified as being the best predictors of ball release speed, explaining 74% of the observed variation in ball release speed. The results indicate that the fastest bowlers have a quicker run-up and maintain a straighter knee throughout the front foot contact phase. The fastest bowlers were also observed to exhibit larger amounts of upper trunk flexion up to ball release and to delay the onset of arm circumduction. This study identifies those technique variables that best explain the differences in release speeds among fast bowlers. These results are likely to be useful in both the coaching and talent identification of fast bowlers.

The influence of cricket fast bowlers’ front leg technique on peak ground reaction forces

High ground reaction forces during the front foot contact phase of the bowling action are believed to be a major contributor to the high prevalence of lumbar stress fractures in fast bowlers. This study aimed to investigate the influence of front leg technique on peak ground reaction forces during the delivery stride. Three-dimensional kinematic data and ground reaction forces during the front foot contact phase were captured for 20 elite male fast bowlers. Eight kinematic parameters were determined for each performance, describing run-up speed and front leg technique, in addition to peak force and time to peak force in the vertical and horizontal directions. There were substantial variations between bowlers in both peak forces (vertical 6.7 ± 1.4 body weights; horizontal (braking) 4.5 ± 0.8 body weights) and times to peak force (vertical 0.03 ± 0.01 s; horizontal 0.03 ± 0.01 s). These differences were found to be linked to the orientation of the front leg at the instant of front foot contact. In particular, a larger plant angle and a heel strike technique were associated with lower peak forces and longer times to peak force during the front foot contact phase, which may help reduce the likelihood of lower back injuries.

Lumbo-pelvic loading during fast bowling in adolescent cricketers: The influence of bowling speed and technique

This study aimed to assess changes in bowling technique and lumbar load over the course of a bowling spell in adolescent fast bowlers, and to investigate the relationship between lumbar loads during fast bowling and kinematic factors which have previously been associated with low back injury. Three-dimensional motion analysis was carried out on forty participants who performed an 8-over bowling spell. There were no significant changes in bowling technique or lumbar loads over the course of the spell. Bowling with a more extended front knee, faster ball release speed and increased shoulder counter-rotation were related to increased lumbo-pelvic loading – in particular peak transverse plane rotation moments and anterior-posterior shear forces. These lumbar loads may be a factor in low back injury aetiology and future studies should investigate the relationship between lumbar loading, injury incidence and other risk factors.

Training and Competition Workloads and Fatigue Responses of Elite Junior Cricket Players

This study investigated key fatigue and workload variables of cricket fast bowlers and nonfast bowlers during a 7-wk physical-preparation period and 10-d intensified competition period. Twenty-six elite junior cricketers (mean ± SD age 17.7 ± 1.1 y) were classified as fast bowlers (n = 9) or nonfast bowlers (n = 17). Individual workloads were measured via global positioning system technology, and neuromuscular function (countermovement jump [relative power and flight time]), endocrine (salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations), and perceptual well-being (soreness, mood, stress, sleep quality, and fatigue) markers were recorded. Fast bowlers performed greater competition total distance (median [interquartile range] 7049 [3962] m vs 5062 [3694] m), including greater distances at low and high speeds, and more accelerations (40 [32] vs 19 [21]) and had a higher player load (912 [481] arbitrary units vs 697 [424] arbitrary units) than nonfast bowlers. Cortisol concentrations were higher in the physical-preparation (mean ± 90% confidence intervals, % likelihood; d = -0.88 ± 0.39, 100%) and competition phases (d = -0.39 ± 0.30, 85%), and testosterone concentrations, lower (d = 0.56 ± 0.29, 98%), in the competition phase in fast bowlers. Perceptual well-being was poorer in nonfast bowlers during competition only (d = 0.36 ± 0.22, 88%). Differences in neuromuscular function between groups were unclear during physical preparation and competition. These findings demonstrate differences in the physical demands of cricket fast bowlers and nonfast bowlers and suggest that these external workloads differentially affect the neuromuscular, endocrine, and perceptual fatigue responses of these players.

Quantitative Ultrasound Densitometry in University Level Cricket Fast Bowlers and Nonathletes

ABSTRACT Background Fast bowling in cricket is an important skill that imparts mechanical loads on limbs. The differential loading patterns involved in bowling affect the peripheral limb bone status. Objective To evaluate bone properties using quantitative ultrasound densitometry (QUS), among fast cricket bowlers in comparison with nonathletes. A secondary objective was designed to find correlation between QUS parameters and bonespecific physical activity questionnaire (BPAQ). Methodology A total of 80 subject, 40 fast cricket bowlers of both gender (20 male and 20 female) and 40 nonathletes (20 male and 20 female) were included in our study and all are aged between 20 and 25 years. Bone speed of sound (SOS) was measured bilaterally at the distal radius and the mid tibia using Sunlight OmnisenseTM device. Results There was a significant difference between dominant side and nondominant side radial SOS (p &lt; 0.05) and tibial SOS (p &lt; 0.05) in cricket bowlers favoring dominant radial bone SOS and nondominant tibial bone SOS which was not found in nonathletes. Significant difference in dominant radial bone SOS values (p &lt; 0.05) and nondominant tibial bone SOS (p &lt; 0.05) values existed between cricket bowlers and controls. Positive correlation was found between tibial SOS and past BPAQ in all subjects. Conclusion QUS parameters were significantly higher in young cricket bowlers with greater values observed in the dominant arm and leading foot, thus reflecting the osteogenic effect that occurs due to the nature of the game. Further BPAQ is significantly correlated with lower limb bone properties as measured by QUS at mid shaft tibia. How to cite this article Shenoy S, Parthasarathy S, Sandhu JS. Quantitative Ultrasound Densitometry in University Level Cricket Fast Bowlers and Nonathletes. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2013;47(2):83-89.

The Wicketkeeper and Injury

ABSTRACT Cricket injury has become a significant issue in recent times with many high profile players getting injured during the game. Injury surveillance programs have recently been started and have documented a high injury rate in fast bowlers. One of the most tasking player positions in cricket is wicketkeeping; despite the best protective wear used by them, the nature of the game would imply a high attrition rate due to injury. We looked at the published literature and our own experience, and found little documented data for this subgroup of players. The types of injury recorded and the problems therein are discussed; it is proposed that future focus should be on short-term analysis of injury profiles so as to improve preventive methods, and long-term evaluation of overuse injury or degenerative changes in the body due to the prolonged abnormal posture maintained by wicketkeepers. How to cite this article Dhillon MS, Prabhakar S, Raj N. The Wicketkeeper and Injury. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2013;47(2):99-102.

Kinematic and kinetic energy analysis of segmental sequencing in cricket fast bowling

Although there have been many studies to quantify the segmental sequencing in other sports, there has been little such research applied to cricket bowling. In this study, 34 fast bowlers (22.3 ± 3.7 years) of premier grade level and above were tested using 3D motion analysis, their balls speed ranging from 27.0 to 35.6 m s− 1. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to test for within-participant differences in segmental sequencing based on the timings of maximum segmental angular velocities and kinetic energies, the data showing that bowlers exhibited a general order of proximal-to-distal sequencing. Bivariate Pearson's product-movement correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationships between kinematic variables and ball release speed, yielding a set of variables for entry into a stepwise multiple regression model. The multiple regression model with the sequential timing variables of thoracic linear kinetic energy (KE), upper-arm circumduction velocity and forearm rotation KE, as wel...

Fluid dynamics of cricket ball swing

Swing describes the lateral deviation of a cricket ball in its trajectory towards the batsman. Conventional swing is effective with a new, or well-preserved, ball, and the fluid dynamics governing this phenomenon was first explained in 1957. In 2012, many test-match fast bowlers are able to swing, at high speed, an older ball in the reverse direction. This reverse swing of a ball aged under match conditions has never been explained fully. A cricket ball is asymmetric with six seams of 80–90 encircling stitches, protruding approximately 1 mm proud of the surface. Both conventional and reverse swings are a consequence of asymmetrical flow separation leading to a skewed wake and a net pressure force on the ball perpendicular to the flight trajectory. Here, experimental evidence is presented for the first time showing that the formation of a laminar separation bubble is the prominent flow feature creating the flow asymmetry for reverse swing. A new flow visualisation technique to capture the fluid dynamics of boundary-layer separation using an infrared camera is also introduced here.

Commemorating John Dyson

John Dyson was born on the 7th January 1941 in Meltham Mills, West Yorkshire, England, and later grew up in Harrogate and Leeds. The proudest moment of John's early life was meeting Freddie Trueman, who became one of the greatest fast bowlers of English cricket. John used a state scholarship to study at Kings College London, after hearing a radio lecture by D. M. McKay. He received a first class BSc Special Honours Degree in Physics in 1962, and began a Ph.D. at the University of Manchester Department of Astronomy after being attracted to astronomy by an article of Zdenek Kopal in the semi-popular journal New Scientist. John soon started work with Franz Kahn, and studied the possibility that the broad emission lines seen from the Orion Nebula were due to flows driven by the photoevaporation of neutral globules embedded in a HII region. John's thesis was entitled “The Age and Dynamics of the Orion Nebula“ and he passed his oral examination on 28th February 1966.