The cricketer’s shoulder: Not a classic throwing shoulder

Physical Profiles of All-Rounders, Batters, and Bowlers in Sub-Elite Women's Cricket

ABSTRACT

Jacobs, J, Olivier, B, Brandt, C, and Jafta, G. Physical profiles of all-rounders, batters, and bowlers in sub-elite women's cricket. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1095-1102, 2024-The unique physical profile of each player's role in sub-elite women's cricket is vital for optimizing performance as these players progress to the elite levels. This quantitative, cross-sectional study investigates the physical profiles of sub-elite women's cricket players as a group and compares these profiles across different player roles. Sub-elite female cricket players in the South African domestic women's cricket league were included in this study. A battery of physical assessments were conducted at the start of the 2022/23 season. The physical assessments included body composition, individual muscle strength testing using dynamometry, 2-km time trial (TT), countermovement jump (CMJ), single-leg jump (SLJ), isometric mid-thigh pull, push-up, and hop test on force plates. A total of 44 female players (20.86 ± 1.6 years) were included in the study. Differences were found in muscle mass (p = 0.004) and peak power (p = 0.040) for all-rounders and bowlers. Player roles presented with different dominant (p = 0.006) and non-dominant (p = 0.066) knee flexion strength. The bowlers' body composition and physical strength profile are compromised compared with batters and all-rounders. There were several physical strength and power differences between pace and spin bowlers in CMJ and SLJ tests for jump height (p = 0.009) and peak power (p = 0.006). Batters performed the best in the 2-km TT. Body composition and musculoskeletal profiles for each player role can be baseline markers in sub-elite women's cricket. Stakeholders can use this information to guide physical preparation for players advancing to elite levels.

Does an Increase in Supraspinatus Tendon Thickness After Swimming Increase the Likelihood of Future Shoulder Pain?

BACKGROUND

Increase in supraspinatus tendon thickness (STT) resulting from swimming practice has been observed in those with a history of shoulder pain. The magnitude of change in STT after a swimming session and its rate of recovery may be an indicator of future shoulder pain incidence.

HYPOTHESIS

The supraspinatus tendons that demonstrate a greater increase in thickness as a result of swimming practice will have an increased likelihood of future shoulder pain in a cohort of competitive swimmers over a period of 6 months.

DESIGN

Descriptive epidemiology study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 2b, individual cohort studies.

METHODS

A cohort of 50 nationally qualified swimmers aged between 14 and 22 years, from 3 open National Swimming Programs in Victoria, Australia, were recruited for this study. Ultrasonographic measurements of swimmers' STT was obtained of both shoulders, before, immediately after, and 6 hours after a single swimming practice session. Data were recorded of any significant interfering shoulder pain at 3 and 6 months after the initial testing session.

RESULTS

Stepwise logistic regression models indicated that significant predictors of the likelihood of experiencing significant interfering pain were sex [significant at 6 months; odds ratio (OR) 4.2] and the extent of change in STT immediately (OR 2.3 and 1.3 per mm at 3 and 6 months, respectively) and 6 hours postpractice (OR 1.9 and 1.5 per mm at 3 and 6 months, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The current data suggest larger increases in tendon thickness after training are associated with an increased likelihood of future shoulder pain.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These data may be valuable for monitoring training load and identifying athletes who may have an increased likelihood of shoulder pain.

Effect of Indian clubbell exercises on cricket fast bowlers' shoulder kinematics

Background

The glenohumeral joint's rotational range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength are essential to execute the cricket bowling action. Performing shoulder rotation exercises may increase the rotator cuff muscle strength and rotational ROM.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to test the effect of a six-week exercise programme on shoulder rotational ROM and muscle strength.

Methods

Twenty-one healthy male cricket fast bowlers were recruited, ranked and pair-matched on initial shoulder rotator muscle strength and assigned to either a shoulder exercise (SE) group or cricket training (CT) only group. The SE group incorporated Indian clubbell exercises in addition to their cricket training.

Results

Bowlers in both groups displayed a large increase on the dominant shoulder's internal rotation (IR) ROM, but only the SE group's bowlers displayed ROM improvements (p<0.001) bilaterally for both internal and external rotation. The CT group's fast bowler's non-dominant shoulder IR ROM significantly decreased (p=0.02) during the six weeks. Between groups, only the SE group's bowler's internal rotator muscle strength improved (p<0.001) bilaterally. The observed kinematic changes were statistically significantly greater at a 5% level for the SE group's bowlers (bilateral internal rotators muscle strength, non-dominant shoulder IR ROM and horizontal adduction ROM).

Conclusion

Maintenance of the shoulder's rotational ROM and muscle strength is vital for a fast bowler. Cricket bowlers who perform regular clubbell exercises might increase their shoulder's ROM and internal rotator cuffs' muscle strength, which may aid in stabilising their glenohumeral joint while bowling.

Shoulder Injuries in Modern Cricket: Should an Increase Be Anticipated?

Background

Shoulder injuries in cricket were among the top injuries in the game. With increased effort by players batting, bowling and fielding, a further increase in its incidence can be anticipated. There are predisposing factors that can be screened and with prehabiliation, injuries can be prevented. This paper looks at the mechanism of shoulder injuries in cricket and how many can be prevented. It also presents a case of an unusual injury around the joint which can be mistaken for a shoulder injury.

Conclusion

Musculoskeletal screening of the shoulder can reduce shoulder injuries. With an anticipated increase in incidence, this should be a focus of prevention.

Triceps injury in non-bowling arm in cricket: an unusual mechanism

Cricket is a non-contact sport that is popular worldwide and consists of repetitive throwing, bowling and fielding. Fast bowlers are prone to injury to the bowling arm due to repetitive stress, but this case study focuses on the damage caused to the bowler's non-bowling arm. This individual was a right-handed fast bowler who developed pain and dysfunction in his left arm after competing in more than 20 cricket tournaments. Following the stipulated bowling spell, he had severe pain in the posterior aspect of his left arm. On the field, he was managed with ice compression. Ecchymosis was seen on the distal part of his posteromedial arm. Diagnostic ultrasound revealed an acute triceps injury. The pain lasted 2 weeks and was gradually relieved with analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications. This observation led to the recommendation that elbow flexion of the non-bowling arm be checked for and avoided.

The Applicability of Provocative Functional Tests in the Diagnosis of Rotator Cuff Muscle Injuries of the Best University Athletes

Rotator cuff disease, external and internal impingement syndromes, low shoulder stability, various types of trauma, and overuse injuries are all related to sports activities. In order to check symptoms in patients with disability and shoulder pain, clinicians use different methods and diagnostic imaging assessment. The research is aimed at evaluating whether there is a difference between provocation function tests (PFT) and ultrasonographic (US) testing of muscles within the rotator cuff in elite collegiate athletes. Patients ( $n=184$ ) were recruited from university team sports selections and tested with a standardized US examination of the shoulder and five PFTs (Speed’s test, Neer’s test, Hawkins test, lift-off test, Yergason’s test). Based on the VAS pain assessment scale, 60 subjects had some pain, which was taken for further processing in the work (124 subjects did not have the presence of pain and were excluded from further processing). The US examination was conducted using Voluson 730 apparatus, by a linear probe, with the frequency in the range of 6-12 MHz. The chi-square test showed significant differences between PFT and the occurrence of shoulder muscle tendinitis for the following variables: Speed’s test and subscapularis tendinitis ( $p=0.02$ ) and Speed’s test and infraspinatus tendinitis ( $p=0.01$ ); Neer test and biceps brachii caput longum tendinitis ( $p=0.01$ ), Neer test and supraspinatus tendinitis ( $p=0.02$ ) and Neer test and infraspinatus tendinitis ( $p=0.01$ ); lift-off test and subscapularis tendinitis ( $p=0.05$ ); and Yergason’s test and biceps brachii caput longum tendinitis ( $p=0.03$ ) and Yergason’s test and subscapitis tendinitis ( $p=0.01$ ). The greatest effect of differences was observed in Neer’s test and biceps brachii caput longum tendinitis ( $\phi =0.60$ ), while the other effects can be described as medium and small in most cases. It can be concluded that functional tests are good predictors of soft tissue changes in the muscles of the rotator cuff of the shoulder. Further monitoring and analysis are needed on a larger number of athletes.

The association between gird and overhead throwing biomechanics in cricket

The development of GIRD is a well-documented adaptation associated with repetitive overhead throwing in numerous sports. In occurrence with total rotational range of motion deficit, GIRD is considered pathological and increases shoulder injury risk. While cricketers demonstrate these deficits in rotational range; the association between GIRD and overhead throwing has yet to be explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between GIRD and overhead throwing biomechanics in cricketers. Passive shoulder rotational range of motion was measured in 15 cricketers (elite = 8, amateur = 7). Kinetic and kinematic data were obtained during overhead throws from a stationary and run-up approach. Linear regression was used to determine potential relationships between GIRD and discrete shoulder kinetics for both throwing approaches. One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping regression was conducted to assess relationships between GIRD and throwing kinematics. When throwing overhead from a stationary position, GIRD was associated with reduced hip abduction during the preparatory arc (p = 0.002); superior shoulder (p = 0.003) and elbow compressive (p = 0.009) forces, at cocking. In addition, GIRD was associated with increased posterior shoulder force during arm deceleration for both stationary (p = 0.013) and run-up approaches (p = 0.03) to overhead throwing. Cricketers with GIRD utilise a shorter stride, creating early pelvic rotation and a slow throwing arm with an associated reduction in forces about the shoulder and elbow at cocking, when throwing from a stationary position. Further, overload of the posterior shoulder occurs during arm deceleration, irrespective of throwing approach. These findings highlight potential shoulder injury risk.

Predictors of throwing performance in amateur male cricketers: A musculoskeletal approach

Optimal throwing speed and accuracy is built on a complex interaction of multiple variables. Although strength and power has been associated with throwing speed in cricketers, the individual muscles that contribute to optimal function of the shoulder-complex has not been adequately explored in connection with throwing performance. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between musculoskeletal variables and overhead throwing performance in cricketers. Thirty-two amateur male cricketers were tested using a battery of 16 tests (strength, flexibility, scapula positioning) as well as a throwing speed (TS) and a novel accuracy test (TA). Only two of the sixteen tests were correlated with throwing performance in the multiple regression analysis. Non-dominant hip abduction strength correlated positively with TS (p < 0.05): on average, a strength increase of 10 newtons (N) was associated with an increase in TS of 0.60 km/h (95% CI: 0.12-1.08). Non-dominant pectoralis minor length correlated positively with TA (p < 0.01): on average, a one-centimetre increase in the length correlated to an increase, of 0.633 points (95% CI: 0.225-1.041). This cross-sectional study demonstrated that from an array of musculoskeletal variables, only non-dominant hip abduction strength correlated with TS, while only non-dominant pectoralis minor length correlated with TA in amateur cricketers.