Use of field-based tests to identify risk factors for injury to fast bowlers in cricket.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors for injury to cricket fast bowlers using field-based tests.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
High performance Australian cricket.


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


METHODS
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 2003-4 season and bowling workload and injuries were recorded. Logistic regression was used to identify injury risk factors.


METHODS
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 < or =30 degrees 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 degrees of rotation. Bowlers with an ankle dorsiflexion lunge of 12.1-14.0 cm on the leg contralateral to the bowling arm were at a significantly increased risk (OR 4.03, 95% CI 1.07 to 15.21) than bowlers with a lunge of >14 cm. Bowlers with a lunge of < or =12 cm 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.
Dennis
R J
RJ
NSW Injury Risk Management Research Centre, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia. rebecca.dennis@unsw.edu.au
Finch
C F
CF
McIntosh
A S
AS
Elliott
B C
BC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014142:Track and Field / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology