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VOLUME 57 , ISSUE 4 ( October-December, 2023 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Identification of Tissue Loading of Cricket Bowlers Using Thermal Imaging Technique as a Predictor of Overloading and Injuries

Asela Ratnayake, Gihan Kuruppu

Keywords : Cricket, Cricket and Medical, Cricket injuries, Sports medicine

Citation Information : Ratnayake A, Kuruppu G. Identification of Tissue Loading of Cricket Bowlers Using Thermal Imaging Technique as a Predictor of Overloading and Injuries. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2023; 57 (4):177-180.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10028-1643

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 29-09-2023

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2023; The Author(s).


Abstract

Introduction: Infrared imaging is an evidence-based, noninvasive method used in the field of medicine to detect the inflammatory level of the tissues. It is also used in sports to evaluate the peripheral blood supply of the various tissues of the human body to compare the performance level. Objective: To identify the loading pattern of tissues of the body during warm-up sessions and bowling of the cricketers using the thermal imaging technique. Materials and methods: Prospective observational study was conducted on 15 cricketers of the elite school-level central province team. Thermal imaging was done in all players at pre and postwarm-up sessions. Serial thermal images were captured on each player for 6 overs. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were conducted to assess the significance of these changes. Results: The thermal images obtained before warming up displayed heterogeneous temperature distribution, compared to the postwarm-up thermal pattern appeared to have uniform and symmetrical thermal distribution. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant difference in temperature distributions before and after warm-up (p < 0.05). In some players, the standard warm-up session may not be sufficient, as indicated by the distinctive thermal patterns observed during the prewarm-up. Four fast bowlers showed trunk region muscles, trapezius, pectoralis, and external oblique significant (p < 0.05) temperature patterns (26.6%). Two spinners showed significant thermal images (p < 0.05), trapezius, and gastrocnemius muscles, respectively (13.3%). The only left-arm orthodox bowler had a right elbow and left tibial regional increase thermal pattern (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Thermal imaging to assess the adequacy of the warming-up level in cricketers prior to bowling showed that the standard group-warm up session was not adequate for everyone. They need a tailor-made warming-up session for each one of the bowlers. All fast bowlers showed significant thermal imaging patterns suggestive of overloading of the trapezius, pectoralis, and external oblique muscles. Spinners showed both trunk and lower limb muscles overloading thermal patterns. Further investigation is warranted to identify specific warm-up strategies tailored to individual cricketers’ needs. Tissue loading patterns while bowling should be further studied during training and matches. This will help to identify the areas of excessive tissue loading and hence to develop injury prevention strategies based on the real-time observational data through thermal imaging technique.


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