CRICKET SIDE STRAIN INJURIES: A DESCRIPTION OF TRUNK MUSCLE ACTIVITY AND THE POTENTIAL INFLUENCE OF BOWLING TECHNIQUE

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the muscle activity of internal oblique and external oblique during the bowling action due to their association with side strain injuries in cricket fast bowlers. Six professional County fast bowlers of differing techniques (sideon (n=2), mixed (n=1) and semi-open (n=3), bowled three deliveries with sEMG of both internal oblique and external oblique on the side contralateral to the bowling arm recorded at 500 Hz. Findings indicate that peak muscle activity for both internal and external oblique, though of similar magnitude, differed in timing. This may be associated with the moment of side strain injury during the bowling action, which has not yet been described. Preliminary data suggests this timing appears to vary according to the bowler’s technique. Further investigation incorporating upper limb and trunk kinematics is required.