Bony Stress Injuries in Junior Bowlers

In young athletic populations, bone stress injuries are much more common than we may think. Up to 30 percent of junior fast bowlers will develop a bone stress injury each season. This is due to the distribution of “load” or force through the spine during bowling. When there is too much of this load without adequate recovery time, the vertebra can become stressed, painful and eventually fracture. Bony stress injuries are important to be aware of as they can require significant rest periods and if managed incorrectly, can result in ongoing issues. 

A good bowling technique will not protect an athlete if their load is too high. Similarly, a poor bowling technique may not lead to an injury if load is managed well. 

Important to note:

• The younger the bowler, the greater the risk.
• The taller the bowler, the greater the risk. 
• The more they bowl, the greater the risk. 

Prevention

The most effective method to reduce the risk of developing a lumbar bone stress injury is to manage your bowling load throughout the season. Coaches can assist you to progressively increase how much you bowl at the beginning of the season and monitor the frequency/repetitions of balls bowled during the week. Coaches and players should also plan lower intensity weeks over the course of the year.  Players should work with coaches to ensure their bowling technique has good alignment, is economical and repeatable. Physical fitness is also important with players requiring good strength and control in the lower body and trunk. 

If you are experiencing pain with bowling, you should seek the services of a medical professional with experience intreating cricket injuries to ensure the injury is investigated and managed appropriately. To find out more about the Australian Bowling Guidelines for juniors, visit the Cricket Australia website. 

Written by Marcus Berryman – Physiotherapist