Abstract

Background: Fast bowling in cricket is associated with a high prevalence of lumbar spine stress injuries, especially in adolescents. This cannot be correlated with risk factors identified in adult players. This study aimed to examine the incidence of lumbar spine stress injuries in adolescent fast bowlers as a prospective study so as to predict risk factors.
Methodology: 32 asymptomatic male fast bowlers (aged 14–17 years) received baseline & annual lumbar dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, musculoskeletal and bowling workload assessment. These were followed up after one year to calculate the prevalence at baseline and annual incidence. Potential risk factors were compared between the injured and uninjured groups using T-tests with Hedges’ g effect sizes.
Results: At baseline, 7 cricketers (21.8%) had evidence of lumbar spine stress injury. Subsequent incidence was 27.3 ± 18.6 injuries per 100 players per year (mean ± 95% CI). Injured bowlers were older on average at the beginning of the season preceding injury (16.7 versus 15.5 years, g = 1.396, P = 0.047)
Conclusion: Risk of lumbar spine stress injury coincides with increases in bowling & cricketing workload as well as intensity as bowlers step up playing levels to more senior teams during late adolescence whilst the lumbar spine is immature and less robust.