Overhead throwing biomechanics in cricketers: The effect of a run-up approach

ABSTRACT

Overhead throwing by cricketers when fielding with different approaches has been described using two-dimensional analysis. Currently, the three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic characteristics of an overhead throw performed by cricketers following a run-up are unknown. Fifteen South African cricketers performed six overhead throws, from a stationary position and with a run-up over 15–20 m prior to fielding a ball, respectively. Kinematic data and ground reaction forces were collected throughout the throwing trials. Joint kinetics were calculated using inverse dynamics. An independent t-test or Mann–Whitney U-test was used to determine joint kinetic differences between throwing approaches. Differences between the kinematic waveforms for stationary and run-up throwing approaches were assessed using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping ANOVA (P < 0.05). The shoulder, elbow and thoraco-lumbar joints displayed similar kinematics between throwing approaches. The run-up approach displayed increased hip flexion between 0–34% and 57–100% (F(1, 28) = 6.726; P = 0.01) of the throwing cycle; and lumbo-pelvic flexion between 57 and 65% (F(1, 28) = 6.823; P = 0.02) of the throwing cycle; greater shoulder compression (F(1, 28) = 1.036; P = 0.02) and posterior force (F(1, 28) = 1.052; P = 0.009) at maximum external rotation; yet less superior shoulder force (F(1, 28) = 1.744; P = 0.005) and elbow compression (F(1, 28) = 4.331; P = 0.03), superior (F(1, 28) = 1.212; P = 0.002) and medial (F(1, 28) = 1.370; P = 0.03) elbow forces at ball release, when compared to a stationary position. Cricketers maintain similar upper limb kinematics between overhead throwing approaches. However, throwing with a run-up approximately doubles the forces exerted on the shoulder at maximum external rotation, which is most likely caused by the greater dominant hip and lumbo-pelvic flexion noted. This may amplify the potential risk for shoulder injury when throwing.

Highlights

• Throwing arm motion is similar irrespective of the approach used by cricketers to throw.

• Throwing with a run-up produced increased angles of lumbo-pelvic and dominant hip flexion in various phases of the throwing cycle.

• Throwing with a run-up resulted in greater shoulder compression and posterior force at maximum external rotation.

KEYWORDS:

• Shoulder
• kinematics
• kinetics
• fielding

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported in part by the University of Cape Town under the FRC Award: PPI; the National Research Foundation of South Africa [grant number 110941]; the International Society of Biomechanics (Matching Dissertation Grant); and Cricket South Africa (Matching Dissertation Grant).