PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH LUMBAR BONE STRESS INJURY RELATED TECHNIQUE IN MALE FAST BOWLERS

The purpose of this study was to determine whether physical characteristics were associated with cricket fast bowling technique previously associated with lumbar bone stress injury, rear hip flexion at back foot contact and lumbopelvic extension at front foot contact (FFC). Forty-one elite male cricket fast bowlers underwent 3D biomechanical analysis of their bowling technique and movement competency of the lower limbs and lumbopelvic region. Further, participants completed range of motion, lumbopelvic stability, core endurance and lower body power tests. Moderate-strong significant correlations were found between lumbopelvic extension at FFC with back bowling hip dynamic leg swing extension and front bowling hip external rotation range. Physical competencies including hip flexibility or lumbopelvic control may influence injurious bowling techniques

Evolution of anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of international male cricketers from 2014 to 2020 in a World Cup winning nation

The aim of the study was to firstly present a comprehensive physical profile of international cricketers in a World Cup winning cricket nation. Secondly, to describe changes in physical profiles across seven years. Fifty-two senior international cricketers’ physical profiles were retrospectively analysed across seven years. Using linear mixed-modelling, changes in stature, body mass, sum-of-8 skinfolds, sprinting time (10 and 40 m), run-2 time, counter movement jump (CMJ), push and pull strength capacity and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level-1 (Yo-Yo-IR1) were analysed during a seven-year period. There were no significant changes in body mass (p = .63) or stature (p = .99) during this time. However, there was a significant (p < .001) mean decrease of ∼14 mm in the sum-of-8 skinfolds. Distance covered in the Yo-Yo-IR1 also showed a significant (p = .002) effect of years, with a mean increase of 459 m in 2017 when compared with 2014. A significantly (p = .01) more balanced push-to-pull strength capacity ratio was also evident across years as a result of a significant (p < .001) increase in pull strength capacity. Significant (p < .05) fluctuations in CMJ, sprint and run-2 time were seen, with no obvious trends. International cricketers within our study have gone through a notable physical transformation that has likely resulted in an increase in lean mass and aerobic capacity. The change across time to a more balanced push-to-pull strength capacity may be beneficial for injury prevention

Variability of test match cricket and the effects of match location on physical demands in male seam bowlers

The physical demands of test match cricket in seam bowlers during fielding are currently unknown. Similarly, analysis of between-match variability and the effects of playing home vs. away is required. Nine international male seam bowlers across 28 test matches (n= 9 home; n= 19 away) were investigated over five years (2015-2019). Seam bowlers wore global positioning sensors during match play fielding to quantify physical demands. Absolute and relative (per hour) distances covered in five velocity bands, total distance, and number of accelerations and decelerations were assessed for each match. Coefficient of variation (CV%) and smallest worthwhile change were used to calculate between-match variability. Mixed linear modelling was used to analyse home vs away matches. Seam bowlers covered up to 50 km, with maximal durations of >21 hours during test match fielding. Small between-match CV% (8.3) were found for maximal velocity with large (CV% = 21-192) between-match variability across most other variables. Greater distances were covered at 15-20 km·h-1 (p= 0.02) and >25 km·h-1 (p= 0.04) when playing at home. The results demonstrated substantial, highly variable physical demands. Practitioners should adapt training retrospectively to the match demands encountered and should anticipate that match intensity may be higher during home matches

Evolution of Anthropometric and Physical Performance Characteristics of International Male Cricketers from 2014 to 2020 in a World Cup Winning Nation

The aim of the study was to firstly, present a comprehensive physical profile of international cricketers in a World Cup winning cricket nation. Secondly, to describe changes in physical profiles across seven years. Fifty-two senior international cricketers’ physical profiles were retrospectively analysed across seven years. Using linear mixed-modelling, changes in stature, body mass, sum-of-8 skinfolds, sprinting time (10 and 40 m), run-2 time, counter movement jump (CMJ), push and pull strength capacity and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level-1 (Yo-Yo-IR1) were analysed during a seven year period. There were no significant changes in body mass (p = 0.63) or stature (p = 0.99) during this time. However, there was a significant (p < 0.001) mean decrease of ∼ 14 mm in the sum-of-8 skinfolds. Distance covered in the Yo-Yo-IR1 also showed a significant (p = 0.002) effect of years, with a mean increase of 459 m in 2017 when compared to 2014. A significantly (p = 0.01) more balanced push-to-pull strength capacity ratio was also evident across years as a result of a significant (p < 0.001) increase in pull strength capacity. Significant (p < 0.05) fluctuations in CMJ, sprint and run-2 time were seen, with no obvious trends. International cricketers within our study have gone through a notable physical transformation that has likely resulted in an increase in lean mass and aerobic capacity. The change across time to a more balanced push-to-pull strength capacity may be beneficial for injury prevention

Variability and physical demands of international seam bowlers in one-day and Twenty20 international matches across five years

ObjectivesTo quantify and compare the match demands and variability of international One-Day (ODI) with Twenty20 (T20) cricket matches and to compare ODI match demands when competing home and away.DesignSingle cohort, longitudinal observation.MethodsThirteen international male seam bowlers across 204 matches (ODI = 160; T20 = 44) were investigated over five-years (2015−2019). Using global positioning sensors and accelerometers, physical demands were quantified using distance covered at different velocities and the number of entries into high and low intensity acceleration and deceleration bands. Variability was quantified using coefficient of variation (CV) and smallest worthwhile change.ResultsSignificantly greater (p &lt; 0.05) match demands were found for all physical variables relative to minutes played for T20 against ODI matches, except for distance covered 20−25 km h−1 which was greater for ODI. Distance covered between 0−7 km∙h−1 showed no significance difference (p = 0.60). The number of moderate decelerations (2−4 m∙s2) were greater (p = 0.04) away compared to home in ODI. All other variables showed no significance. Relative to minutes played, decelerations ≤4 m∙s2 (within-player ODI CV = 75.5%. T20 = 72.0%) accelerations &gt;4 m∙s2 (within-player ODI CV = 79.2%. T20 CV = 77.2%. Between-player ODI CV = 84.7%. T20 = 38.8%) and distance covered &gt;25 km h−1 (within-player ODI CV = 65.5%. T20 = 64.1%) showed the greatest variability.ConclusionsPlayers are exposed to different physical demands in ODI Vs T20 matches, but not for home Vs away ODI matches. Practitioners should be aware of the large variability in high-speed/intensity accelerations and decelerations across matches

Strength and Conditioning for Cricket Wicketkeeping: A Narrative Review

A cricket wicketkeeper is a player on the fielding team positioned behind the stumps. They adopt a crouching position upon ball delivery from the bowler to take catches, execute stumpings, and limit extra runs because of byes. Wicketkeepers are advised to conduct a combination of technical and strength and conditioning training to support the dynamic actions required in matches and reduce injury risk. There is evidence on wicketkeepers concerning match-play demands, physical development, and injury risk reduction; however, this research is limited compared with other positions. This research should be consolidated to provide meaningful and informed guidance for planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating strength and conditioning programs. Therefore, this review presents a needs analysis, normative data, and evidence-informed guidance for wicketkeepers. This information can be used by strength and conditioning coaches and the athlete support team to inform decisions regarding training programs. This review recommends that strength and conditioning programs accommodate the demands of specific match formats and individual physical, physiological, and technical needs of wicketkeepers. The key physical characteristics underpinning wicketkeeping performance such as multidirectional speed, change-of-direction ability, lower-limb power, and aerobic fitness should be considered to ensure the specificity of training programs

Strength and Conditioning for Cricket Fielding: A Narrative Review

The main aim of cricket fielding is to minimize runs scored by the opposing batting team. This is achieved through (a) collecting a batted ball and returning it to the wicket-keeper to prevent runs from being scored, (b) dismissing a batter by catching a batted ball, (c) running a batter out by throwing the ball to strike the stumps, or 4) preventing a batted ball from hitting the boundary. These tasks require various physical fitness attributes, which can be developed through progressive strength and conditioning programming. To support strength and conditioning coaches in developing tailored programs for fielding, this narrative review provides comprehensive information, including a needs analysis, match demands, and injury epidemiology. Furthermore, programming considerations are given for physical testing, program design, and youth fielders. It is recommended to design and implement a well-rounded training program for fielding, focusing on developing a broad range of physical fitness attributes (e.g., aerobic fitness, speed, acceleration, change of direction speed, agility, and upper-body and lower-body strength and power). A combination of traditional weight training exercises and cricket-specific drills can be implemented to achieve this target. This approach allows the training program to meet the specific needs for high- performance fielding

Strength and conditioning for cricket fielding: A narrative review

The main aim of cricket fielding is to minimize runs scored by the opposing batting team. This is achieved through 1) collecting a batted ball and returning it to the wicketkeeper to prevent runs from being scored, 2) dismissing a batter by catching a batted ball, 3) running a batter out by throwing the ball to strike the stumps, or 4) preventing a batted ball from hitting the boundary. These tasks require various physical fitness attributes, which can be developed through progressive strength and conditioning programming. To support strength and conditioning coaches in developing tailored programs for fielding, this narrative review provides comprehensive information, including a needs analysis, match demands, and injury epidemiology. Furthermore, programming considerations are given for physical testing, program design, and youth cricketers. It is recommended that coaches design and implement a well-rounded training program for fielding, with a focus on developing a broad range of physical attributes (e.g., aerobic fitness, speed, acceleration, change of direction speed, agility, and upper- and lower-body strength and power). To achieve this, a combination of traditional weight training exercises and cricket-specific drills can be implemented. This allows for the training program to meet the specific needs for high-performance fielding.</p