Prevalence of cricket-related musculoskeletal pain among adolescent cricketers in KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Objectives. This study investigated the prevalence and nature of cricket-related musculoskeletal pain among male adolescent cricket players (n=234) residing in the Highway area of Durban over a 12-month period during all the seasons of the year. Methods. Data were collected from five secondary schools. Subjects' participation was dependent on voluntary and parental informed consent. Child assent forms were also provided for the schoolboy cricket players to complete. Participants were required to complete a self-reported questionnaire probing the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain within the last 12 months. The probability was set at p≤0.05. Results. A total of 188 subjects (80%) experienced cricket-related musculoskeletal pain (p<0.0001). The most common sites were the lower extremities (39%), followed by upper extremities (36%) and lower back (18%). The prevalence of cricket-related musculoskeletal pain specific to the various anatomical sites were mostly knee (30%) and lower back (29%), followed by shoulder (17%), ankle (13%) and thigh (11%). The predisposing mechanisms producing cricket-related musculoskeletal pain reported by the cricketers were direct physical trauma (83%) and over-use (17%) (p<0.0001). Conclusion. Male adolescent recreational cricket players reported a high prevalence of cricket-related musculoskeletal pain. The knee was the most common anatomical site. Parents, guardians and coaches should pay specific caution to preliminary and extrinsic factors causing musculoskeletal pain in adolescent cricketers. 4SAJSM vol 24 No. 1 2012 the unreliability of the findings due to physiological and hormonal differences. Data were collected through a self-reported musculoskeletal questionnaire (adapted from Ellapen et al. 13 ) to determine the prevalence of pain at various anatomical sites. The questionnaire (see appendix) and the relevant documentation were explained thoroughly to all subjects, to reduce recall bias. This study employed the following definition of musculoskeletal pain: ' A sensation of agony that inhibits the individual from participating in cricket or practice for a minimum of twentyfour hours' .14 Attempts to document the prevalence of musculoskeletal injury would be unreliable in the absence of medical certification. The researchers doubted that all the subjects would have kept medical records of their injuries within the previous 12 months and so, in the absence of medical records, identification of musculoskeletal pain via subject recall was deemed to be more reliable. Subjects' identification of musculoskeletal pain, types of pain, intensity of pain (according to the Borg CR10 scale) and anatomical location of pain were recorded to infer musculoskeletal injury. 15,16 Injury rates were calculated according to a numerator variable (number of injuries sustained) linked to a denominator variable (number of hours played over the last 12 months), giving the number of injuries sustained for every hour played over the last 12 months. Body mass and stature of all the subjects w...

Junior cricketers are not a smaller version of adult cricketers: A 5-year investigation of injuries in elite junior cricketers

“…[3] However, there remains a relative lack of published studies on injury patterns and risk factors in young cricket players, particularly studies reporting injuries with large sample sizes and over more than one season. Seven studies have described injuries in junior cricketers in SA, [4][5][6][7] Australia [8,9] and New Zealand. [10] These studies reported that young cricketers sustain proportionally less overuse injuries than elite players, but were more susceptible to acute traumatic injuries.…”

“…[6] Direct physical trauma and overuse were the main causes of this musculoskeletal pain, with the knee being the primary site of injury.…”

Surveillance of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Anthropometric Variables among Four International Cricket Teams Competed in ACC Premier League Malaysia 2014

“…The prevalence of cricket-related musculoskeletal pain specific to the various anatomical sites were mostly knee (30%) and lower back (29%), followed by shoulder (17%), ankle (13%) and thigh (11%). 20 In any sport activity Maturation was a significant covariate in anthropometric measures but not in physical performance. Experience and practice are the key factors for improving performance.…”

Musculoskeletal injuries among adolescent cricketers in Zimbabwe

“…Inevitably, injury is potential outcomes of participation hence young athletes are vulnerable to cartilage which is less resistance to repetitive micro injury, apophysis and growth plate's injuries. 1,[3][4][5][6][7] Competitive element intervenes young players' decreased flexibility due to pronounced growth spurt through training harder and longer times which lead to varied physiologic response to exercise hence injuries. 4,[7][8][9] Bowling, batting and fielding are the three unique aspects of the game of cricket which are associated with risks of injury due to its repetitive nature and played often for long periods of time.…”

“…4,[7][8][9] Bowling, batting and fielding are the three unique aspects of the game of cricket which are associated with risks of injury due to its repetitive nature and played often for long periods of time. 1,10 In cricket, musculoskeletal pain and injuries are very common. They can occur when a player had rapid rotational movements, collisions with other players, struck by a ball or bat, sliding and diving during fielding and over-use injuries; thus physical macro trauma and microtrauma.…”