At BODYSYSTEM, we provide a range of sports-specific screening services designed to assess key physical attributes, identify potential deficiencies, and reduce the risk of injuries that can impact both performance and overall health. Our screens target the unique demands of various sports, enabling us to pinpoint areas that may predispose athletes to injury or hinder their performance.
The sports we currently offer screening for include:
• Rowing
• Swimming
• Basketball
• Dancing
• AFL
• Equestrian
• Gymnastics
• Hockey
• Netball
• Sailing
• Tennis
• Soccer
One of our latest additions is the Pace Bowling Screen for cricket, designed specifically to address the unique challenges faced by pace bowlers.
The Demands of Pace Bowling Pace bowling in cricket requires a highly coordinated, athletic motion, where multiple body segments must work in unison to deliver the ball at high speed. Bowlers rely on the momentum generated from their run-up, transferring energy in a proximal-to-distal sequence during the delivery stride. This helps them propel the ball efficiently and accurately toward the batter. However, this transfer of energy also creates significant ground reaction forces—up to 5-10 times the bowler’s body weight—that must be absorbed and controlled in order to maintain both speed and precision.
Common Injuries in Pace Bowlers
Due to the intense and repetitive nature of pace bowling, injuries are common. Some of the most frequent injuries experienced by pace bowlers include:
- Bone stress (particularly in the lumbar spine)
- Side strains
- Hamstring strains
- Calf strains
- Ankle and knee injuries
- Degenerative lumbar spine injury
Key Risk Factors for Injury
Several factors increase the risk of injury in pace bowlers, including:
- Previous Injury: A history of injury increases the likelihood of future injuries.
- Physical Preparation: Insufficient physical conditioning can elevate the risk of injury.
- Overuse: High bowling workloads are a significant risk factor for overuse injuries.
- Age: Younger bowlers are particularly vulnerable to lumbar stress injuries.
- Height: Taller bowlers are at greater risk of lumbar bone stress injuries.
- Bowling Speed: Faster bowling speeds increase the risk of spinal stress.
- Rotational Forces: The forceful rotation of the torso to generate pace places complex stress on the spine.
- Hyperextension: Spinal hyperextension, combined with rotational forces, significantly raises the risk of lumbar bone stress injuries.
- Special Considerations for Young Bowlers: For young, developing bowlers, the period of rapid growth following Peak Height Velocity (PHV)—which typically occurs around 11-13 years of age for females and 13-15 years for males—presents an increased risk of spinal stress injuries. During this time, bones lengthen quickly, which can weaken them and lower the threshold for tissue failure. These injuries can be more severe and take longer to heal, often sidelining young athletes for up to 12 months.
THE BODYSYSTEM PACE BOWLER SCREEN
At BODYSYSTEM, we have developed a comprehensive pace bowler screening process to assess musculoskeletal strength, tissue capacity, stability, and flexibility. This assessment helps identify any deficiencies that could predispose bowlers to injury or hinder their performance. Additionally, we evaluate bowling workload, as poor management of training volume and intensity is a significant risk factor for injury.
Once the screen is completed, athletes have the option to receive a tailored training program designed to address any identified weaknesses or imbalances. This program can be followed in our rehab studio under the supervision of our experienced exercise physiologists and physiotherapists, or it can be completed independently at home or at another facility.
At BODYSYSTEM, our goal is to help athletes at all levels optimize their performance while minimizing the risk of injury. Through our detailed sports-specific screening services, we ensure that athletes have the tools they need to perform at their best and stay healthy throughout the season.
