Isokinetic Knee Strength Profile of Indian State-level Cricket Fast Bowlers
Sai A Raman, Suresh Perumal, M Vikram Rao, Thiagarajan K Alwar, Sivaraman Arumugam
Keywords :
Cricket, Cricket injuries, Fast bowling, Isokinetic strength
Citation Information :
Raman SA, Perumal S, Rao MV, Alwar TK, Arumugam S. Isokinetic Knee Strength Profile of Indian State-level Cricket Fast Bowlers. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2024; 58 (1):3-6.
Background and aim: Cricket is the most commonly played and followed sport in India and demands a high level of performance from the fast bowler. Large ground reaction forces generated at front foot contact put fast bowlers at high risk of lower limb and lumbar spine injury. Precise dynamic coordination of lower body segments is needed to absorb these forces and transfer the energy via the core to the upper limb to propel the ball at faster speeds. Thus, knowledge of lower quadrant strength, especially dynamic knee strength, can be useful for injury prevention and better performance in fast bowlers. There is a lack of literature on this subject in Indian fast bowlers despite the popularity of the sport. This study aims to evaluate isokinetic knee strength and determine the relevant asymmetries and strength imbalances in relation to injury risk in cricket fast bowlers.
Methods: A total of 42 male Indian state-level fast bowlers underwent isokinetic knee strength testing. Peak torques (PT) normalized to body weight (BW) were obtained for quadriceps concentric (Qconc), quadriceps eccentric (Qecc), hamstring concentric (Hconc), and hamstring eccentric (Hecc). Bilateral strength asymmetries (BSA) and dynamic control ratio (DCR) (hamstring DCR (H-DCR) = Hecc/Qconc and quadriceps DCR (Q-DCR) = Qecc/Hconc) were evaluated. Descriptive statistical analysis of data was done.
Results: Around 67% of bowlers had significant Qecc strength asymmetry. In addition, 40% had poor hamstrings DCR and 19% had poor Q-DCR on the front limb.
Conclusion: A significant proportion of fast bowlers have unfavorable strength asymmetry and DCR and could be at risk of injury. Improving dynamic knee strength through plyometric training could help optimize performance and reduce injury risk.
Clinical significance: This study highlights key areas of possible injury risk that can be targeted with strength and conditioning to prevent lower limb and lumbar spine injuries in fast bowlers.
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