An overview of low back pain in fast bowlers in cricket
Epidemiology, treatment and prevention of back pain in cricket.
Presentation
Cricket
is one of the oldest sports known to mankind. With the advent of one day cricket in the mid-1970s and twenty 20 cricket in the early 2000s, its popularity has soared immensely. However, due to the impressive number of international matches played today, it is necessary to focus on prevention and management of injuries to players.
Epidemiology of pain in the lower back in cricket
Previous research has reported that low back injuries occur in 60% of cricketers . The reasons given were insufficient pre-season physical and psychological preparation, rapid escalation in the frequency of training, poor biomechanics of fast bowling, the duration of bowling and the overall workload in the season. A longitudinal study in South Africa revealed that the bowling (41%) accounted for most injuries in cricket. Back pain and injuries in fast bowlers fast bowlers are at particular risk of low back pain and injury from rotating bowlers, batsmen and wicket keepers. Hyperextension of the lumbar spine and concomitant rotation of the thoracic spine in fast bowling places a significant amount of stress on the lumbar spine. This causes injury to bones, joints, ligaments and muscles in and around the lumbar spine resulting in back pain. The pain is gradual onset and is typically described as the “crescendo-type” of pain that is occurring at the end of the game of the day first, then sooner next time and so on. Typically, it is painful when the player bends backwards, especially if standing on one leg.
Factorsrisk of injury to fast bowlers
Traditionally, fast bowling injuries in the lower back were thought to occur due to hereditary factors, lack of a good technique, poor fitness and lack of pre-season preparation. There are two separate actions by which pace bowlers deliver a cricket ball, side-on and front on. They are defined in terms of the attitude of the feet, arms not bowling, shoulders, torso and monitoring. A third type of action involves certain characteristics of one of these actions. The biggest disadvantage of composite action is that it implies greater shoulder rotation to realign with the rest of the body.
Treatment
most cases, complete rest of the game is the treatment of choice. Meanwhile, a progressive rehabilitation program to strengthen the structures supporting the lower back should be undertaken. Improve core stability and trunk flexibility is also undertaken. The use of a brace while bowling to support the back is also very useful. Surgery is rarely necessary. Subtle changes to the actions of the launcher can be undertaken to minimize stress on the vertebrae.
Summary
The underlying mechanisms
back pain need to be studied further. Design of preventive interventions and good management of fast bowlers in the early years can go a long way in enabling them to pursue careers “without pain”.
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