Comparing tibial accelerations between delivery and follow-through foot strikes in cricket pace bowling

ABSTRACT

Foot strikes of the pace-bowling delivery stride produce large ground reaction forces, which may be linked to injury, yet the biomechanics of the follow-through are unknown. This study assessed tibial accelerations across the delivery and follow-through foot strikes in pace bowlers and evaluated relationships between these measures and five common pace-bowling intensity metrics. Fifteen sub-elite male pace bowlers performed deliveries at warm-up, match, and maximal intensities. Tibial accelerations were measured using tibial-mounted inertial measurement units and recorded at back- and front-foot initial and re-contacts. A trunk-worn global navigation satellite system unit measured PlayerLoad™, run-up speed, and distance. Ball speed and perceived exertion measures were also recorded. A linear mixed model showed statistical significance of prescribed intensities (p < .001) and foot strike for tibial acceleration (p < .001). Tibial accelerations showed positive increases with changes in prescribed intensity (p < .05). The greatest magnitude of tibial acceleration was found at back foot re-contact (mean ± SD; 1139 ± 319 m/s²). Repeated-measures correlations of tibial acceleration between foot contacts were weak (r = 0.2–0.4). The greatest magnitude of tibial acceleration reported at back foot re-contact may have implications for injury incidence, representing an important avenue for future pace bowling research.

KEYWORDS:

• Tibial acceleration
• pace bowling
• inertial measurement units
• follow-through
• magnitude

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

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Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.