Frequency of Shoulder Pain Among Fast and Spin Cricket Bowlers Training in Pakistan Sports Board, Lahore

Abstract

Background: Bowling in cricket is a major cause of sport-related injuries. Among these, shoulder injuries are particularly significant, accounting for approximately 5% of all cricket injuries. This figure likely underestimates the true scope of shoulder issues, which can range from backaches and muscle tears to dislocations and stretches of the shoulder joint.
Objective: The study aims to determine the frequency of shoulder pain among fast and spin cricket bowlers training at the Pakistan Sports Board in Lahore.
Methods: This study involved 40 athletes selected through purposive sampling techniques. Participants included fast and spin bowlers undergoing training at the Pakistan Sports Board. Data were collected using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and the Pediatric/Adolescent Shoulder Survey (PASS) questionnaires. Comparisons were made between fast and spin bowlers, and the prevalence of shoulder pain was also analyzed across different genders.
Results: The incidence of shoulder pain was 40.43% in fast bowlers and 43.88% in spin bowlers. Disability rates were 16.63% for fast bowlers and 24.41% for spin bowlers. The overall Shoulder Pain and Disability Index was 25.69% for fast bowlers and 31.90% for spin bowlers. The Pediatric/Adolescent Shoulder Survey Score was 67.26% for fast bowlers and 64.76% for spin bowlers.
Conclusion: Spin bowlers exhibited a higher prevalence of shoulder pain compared to fast bowlers. Among fast bowlers, pain was primarily during bowling, while spinners experienced pain during both bowling and overthrowing actions. No significant association was found between shoulder pain and factors such as gender, marital status, bowling arm, or style.
Keywords: Cricket, Fast Bowler, Spin Bowler, Shoulder Pain, SPADI, PASS, Sports Injuries, Musculoskeletal Disorders.