Musculoskeletal profile of the lumbar spine and hip regions in cricket fast bowlers

Objectives To determine the career history of low back pain (LBP) in current elite female cricket fast bowlers and then compare measures of lumbar spine and hip range of motion (ROM) and trunk extensor endurance between those bowlers with and without a history of LBP. Measures for the female bowlers were also compared to a small sample of male fast bowlers. Participants Twenty-six elite female fast bowlers and eight male fast bowlers of similar age and bowling experience. Main outcome measures The career history of LBP was determined by a self-administered questionnaire and by accessing medical records. Range of motion measures for the lumbar spine and hips were obtained using inclinometry or goniometry. Trunk extensor endurance was assessed using a modified Sorensen test. Results Fourteen female fast bowlers had a history of LBP. There was a significant difference in lumbar lateral flexion ROM to the bowling arm side between those female fast bowlers with and without a history of LBP ( p ⩽0.05). The female fast bowlers had significantly more bilateral hip extension ROM ( p ⩽0.05) compared to the male fast bowlers. Conclusions This information should be useful for practitioners involved in the conditioning and rehabilitation of cricketers. Future prospective studies should investigate potential predictors of LBP in female fast bowlers.