The Relationship Between Cricket Participation, Health, and Wellbeing: A Systematic Scoping Review

Abstract

Summarising and synthesising the evidence on cricket health and wellbeing can help inform cricket stakeholders and navigate future research directions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cricket participation, health and wellbeing at all ages and playing standards, and identify research gaps in the existing literature. A scoping review was performed from inception to March, 2020. Studies were included if they assessed a construct related to health and/or wellbeing in cricketers, available in English. 219 articles were eligible. Injury incidence per 1,000 player exposures ranged from 1.8-5.7 injuries. 48% of former cricketers experienced persistent joint pain. However, former cricketers reported greater physical activity levels and mental-components of quality of life compared to the general population. Heat injury/illness and skin cancer are concerns and require further research. Cricket participation is associated with an inherent injury risk, which may have negative implications for musculoskeletal health in later life. However, cricket participation is associated with high quality of life which can persist after retirement. Gaps in the literature include prospective studies on health and wellbeing of cricketers, female cricketers, injury prevention strategies, and the impact of cricket participation on metabolic health and lifetime physical activity.

Promoting Men’s Health in a Community

“…This could be achieved through regular health information sessions and individual feedback on health screening results. Bullock et al (2022) found greater PA levels and higher quality of life in former cricket players, 39 supporting the possible long-term effects that could be achieved by suggested initiatives.…”

“…38 Cricket is a recreational, leisure-time sport played worldwide on various levels, and participation can be sustained throughout the lifespan. 39 Through their systematic scoping review, Bullock et al (2022) suggested that (recreational) cricket could be a source of PA providing health benefits to individuals and enhancing their quality of life. 39 However, they proposed more research on the well-being of cricketers of all genders, age groups and levels of play, as well as research into the possibilities of cricket as a PA intervention.…”

“…39 Through their systematic scoping review, Bullock et al (2022) suggested that (recreational) cricket could be a source of PA providing health benefits to individuals and enhancing their quality of life. 39 However, they proposed more research on the well-being of cricketers of all genders, age groups and levels of play, as well as research into the possibilities of cricket as a PA intervention. 39 Acknowledging that most studies included in the systematic scoping review (78%) were from Australia, the United Kingdom and South Africa, the possibility of cricket as a recreational sport or cricket settings as health-screening settings to address the burden of NCDs was evident.…”

Feasibility of ‘Daughters and Dads Cricket’: A programme targeting fathers to improve daughters’ engagement and skills in cricket

“…42,43 Similarly, there have been limited opportunities for girls to partake in organised cricket programmes. 16 Of the few programmes available, there has been minimal uptake by girls. 15 Given this, our ability to recruit and enrol 34 father-daughter dyads into the programme during a 5-week recruitment period is promising.…”

“…15 In addition, a recent systematic scoping review which looked at the relationship between cricket participation, health and well-being (n = 219 studies) identified only 4% of studies included female-only cricketers. 16 As such, the potential benefits that cricket may provide for girls and women is currently unclear due to majority of research in boys and men. A recent qualitative study in 10-year-old to 12-year-old girls identified; lack of confidence in skills, having to play cricket with males, a lack of female-only competitions and an absence of pathway opportunities as key barriers to their participation in cricket.…”