Lumbar bone stress injuries and risk factors in adolescent cricket fast bowlers

Cricket fast bowling is associated with a high prevalence of lumbar bone stress injuries (LBSI), especially in adolescent bowlers. This has not been sufficiently explained by risk factors identified in adult players. This study aimed to examine the incidence of LBSI in adolescent fast bowlers over a prospective study and potential risk factors. Forty asymptomatic male fast bowlers (aged 14–17 years) received baseline and annual lumbar dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and musculoskeletal and bowling workload assessment; 22 were followed up after one year. LBSI prevalence at baseline and annual incidence were calculated. Potential risk factors were compared between the injured and uninjured groups using T-tests with Hedges’ g effect sizes. At baseline, 20.5% of participants had at least one LBSI. Subsequent LBSI incidence was 27.3 ± 18.6 injuries per 100 players per year (mean ± 95% CI). Injured bowlers were older on average at the beginning of the season preceding injury (16.8 versus 15.6 years, g = 1.396, P = 0.047). LBSI risk may coincide with increases in bowling workload and intensity as bowlers step up playing levels to more senior teams during late adolescence whilst the lumbar spine is immature and less robust.