RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CRICKET FAST BOWLING TECHNIQUE, TRUNK INJURIES, AND BALL RELEASE SPEED

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The Australian Institute of Sport Biomechanics department cricket fast bowling technique data were analysed to: (1) identify the critical technique factors associated with trunk injuries and (2) identify any technique factors associated with a higher ball release speed. Shoulder counter-rotation was significantly higher for lumbar spine stress-fractured bowlers than non trunk-injured bowlers. The stress fractured bowlers were also characterized by a larger hip angle in the sagittal plane at front foot contact and ball release, whereas a more flexed front knee at ball release characterized the non trunkinjured bowlers. A series of weak but significant relationships were evident between kinetic and kinematic technique characteristics and higher ball release speeds.