Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the current and ex-commonwealth. In India and Australia, it is especially beloved and has a distinct social and sporting role to play. Cricket is largely viewed as a sedate pastime. This does not mean that it cannot lead to health complaints.
Cricket carries a rather distinct set of ailments along with it. Here are some of the most common cricketing injuries and some information on prevention and recovery. Interestingly, all of these injuries are more common among bowlers and fielders than they are among batters. Bowlers and fielders have to bear the brunt of more repetitive straining motions than their peers in front of the wicket.
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is very common amongst cricketers thanks to the repetitive strain put on the lumbar region during games – often for days on end in the case of test matches. Fast bowlers are especially prone to lower back pain due to the sharp whipping motion they cultivate to fling the ball at immense speeds. Lower back pain can become a chronic issue of not dealt with correctly – and has the potential to end a cricketer’s career. Modern cricket players are able to take advantage of many modern treatments for back pain – including the injection of stem cells. This treatment is conducted privately through companies like bioxcellerator.com.
Thrower’s Elbow
Thrower’s elbow – or to name it correctly, medial epicondylitis – is a condition caused by the constant and repetitive strain of throwing a cricket ball. It is essentially an overuse injury and develops slowly over time. Symptoms include pain on the inside of the arm, weak wrists, and weak elbows. Once symptoms start, it is very important that a sufferer spends some time resting their arm. Symptoms will get progressively worse if the arm is not sufficiently rested. Using the POLICE injury protocol can aid in recovery.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff resides in the shoulder and consists of the four muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint. These muscles are regularly strained during cricket. Batting, bowling, and fielding all put a great deal of strain on the shoulder. Inflamed shoulder cuff muscles will restrict movement and develop a throbbing pain. Rest and ice are essential for cricketers recovering from a rotator cuff injury.
Hamstring Strains
Hamstring strains are relatively common in cricket – especially amongst fielders. This is because long periods of inactivity are punctuated by short, sharp sprints. Suddenly sprinting after a long period of inactivity is a great way to strain your muscles and tear your ligaments. Preventing injuries like this is relatively simple. Cricketers need to warm up thoroughly and periodically stretch during times of inactivity.
Abdominal Side Strain
Bowlers are prone to abdominal side strain – an injury involving tears or stretches in muscles running along the side of the body. Abdominal side strain can be immensely painful, but it rarely results in long-lasting injuries. As with all strains, rest and ice are the keys to a speedy recovery.