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Latest Research
Research Details
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| Research Title: |
Fielders and batters are injured too: A prospective cohort study of injuries in junior club cricket |
| Type of Research: |
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| Category: |
Original
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| Keywords: |
cricket, juniors, risk factors
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| Author(s): |
Finch C F, White P, Dennis R, Twomey D, Hayden A |
| Author(s) Bio Box: |
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| Release Date: |
12 April 2010 |
| Research Summary/Text: |
Cricket is a game in which overuse injury in adults (bowlers) is commonly reported but less is known about injury rates and risks for junior players. A prospective cohort study was conducted in Ballarat, a regional area of Victoria, with 411 players from nine U12, nineteen U14 and twelve U16 teams. Injury and participation data was collected over the 2007/08 cricket season. Injury was defined as “an event which required the provision of medical attention, either on or off the field, and/or results in missed participation during the match or training session.”
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| Research Objectives: |
The aim of the study was to examine injury risk in community club junior cricketers during both matches and training sessions, specifically to examine the rates and patterns of injury across player age groups, and hence game development stages.
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| Research Outcomes: |
Overall 47 injuries were reported. The majority of injuries occurred during matches and proportionally they were evenly distributed across batting, bowling and fielding. Overall the rate of injury increases, although not significantly, with age level of play. Most injuries were minor (involving being struck by the ball) and players were able to return to the field after a brief rest period.
Only one injury was recorded in U12 players. Batting injury rates during matches were highest for U14 players, and bowling and fielding injury rates highest for U16 players.
Injuries to the lower limb were most common overall. U14 players most commonly injured their upper leg. U16 players most commonly injured their back, usually during bowling.
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| Research Implications: |
Age-related injury type can be explained by the differing types of cricket played across different age levels. A low rate of injury in the U12 level suggests these players are benefiting from the highly modified version of the game.
Players in the U14 level may benefit from using thigh pads and arm guards in addition to protective equipment already used. All junior players would benefit from improving their ball-handling skills by participating in specific fielding drills conducted regularly during training sessions in addition to batting and bowling practice in the nets.
Injury prevention strategies for batting and fielding should be included in game development programs for junior cricketers. Clubs should monitor the workloads of young bowlers to ensure they do not exceed those recommended in the published literature.
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