A Warren1, S Williams2, S McCaig3, G Trewartha2. 1. England & Wales Cricket Board, National Cricket Performance Centre, Loughborough University, UK. Electronic address: Anna.Warren@ecb.co.uk. 2. Department for Health, University of Bath, UK. 3. Science and Medicine Department, England & Wales Cricket Board, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to explore the relationship between acute (1 week) and chronic (4-week average) bowling workloads and injury risk in National Development Programme fast bowlers, and to investigate individual differences in the relationship between acute:chronic workloads and injury. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Bowling workloads and injury data were collected prospectively for 29 male fast bowlers (age range 15-18) on a National Programme over two years. Workload variables were calculated and the likelihood of injury and individual effects were explored using a generalised linear mixed effects model and magnitude-based inferences. RESULTS: Acute:chronic workloads of 109-142% (relative risk [RR]: 1.46, 90% CI: 0.93-2.29; likely harmful), and ≥142% (RR: 1.66, 90% CI: 1.06-2.59, likely harmful) were associated with a substantial increase in injury risk compared with the reference quartile (<87%). A high chronic workload (>83 balls) substantially attenuated the influence of a high (>108%) acute:chronic workload ratio on injury risk (RR: 0.35, 90% CI: 0.17-0.74). Significant individual differences in the acute:chronic workload-injury relationship were evident. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides further evidence of the association between 'spikes' in workload and injury risk, but also demonstrates that this relationship is individual-specific and dependent on the level of chronic workload. Support teams for fast bowlers should monitor bowling workloads to avoid rapid fluctuations but should also base decisions on individualised data.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to explore the relationship between acute (1 week) and chronic (4-week average) bowling workloads and injury risk in National Development Programme fast bowlers, and to investigate individual differences in the relationship between acute:chronic workloads and injury. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Bowling workloads and injury data were collected prospectively for 29 male fast bowlers (age range 15-18) on a National Programme over two years. Workload variables were calculated and the likelihood of injury and individual effects were explored using a generalised linear mixed effects model and magnitude-based inferences. RESULTS: Acute:chronic workloads of 109-142% (relative risk [RR]: 1.46, 90% CI: 0.93-2.29; likely harmful), and ≥142% (RR: 1.66, 90% CI: 1.06-2.59, likely harmful) were associated with a substantial increase in injury risk compared with the reference quartile (<87%). A high chronic workload (>83 balls) substantially attenuated the influence of a high (>108%) acute:chronic workload ratio on injury risk (RR: 0.35, 90% CI: 0.17-0.74). Significant individual differences in the acute:chronic workload-injury relationship were evident. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides further evidence of the association between 'spikes' in workload and injury risk, but also demonstrates that this relationship is individual-specific and dependent on the level of chronic workload. Support teams for fast bowlers should monitor bowling workloads to avoid rapid fluctuations but should also base decisions on individualised data.
Authors: Lena Kristin Bache-Mathiesen; Thor Einar Andersen; Torstein Dalen-Lorentsen; Benjamin Clarsen; Morten Wang Fagerland Journal: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med Date: 2021-08-06