Singh Shwetabh, Baker James, Egginton Stuart
Sports Medicine, Hull Kingston Rovers, Hull, GBR.
Emergency Medicine, Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, Sydney, AUS.
Cureus. 2025 Mar 1;17(3):e79869. doi: 10.7759/cureus.79869. eCollection 2025 Mar.
Lower back pain (LBP) poses a significant challenge for cricketers of all standards, often leading to rehabilitation periods exceeding eight months and potential termination of the playing season. Despite the identification of modifiable risk factors and interventions in previous studies, a comprehensive review of the past decade is absent. With the introduction of shorter formats like Twenty20 (T20) and the rise of franchise cricket, an updated evaluation of risk factors and interventions for preventing and treating LBP in cricketers is needed. This study critically assesses and summarises current understanding in this area, incorporating previous recommendations and considering the evolving cricket landscape. A systematic review was conducted using databases such as SportsDiscus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Cochrane Library. Key terms related to LBP in cricketers were utilised. The Down and Black quality assessment tool, in addition to van Tulder's criteria for levels of evidence, was applied. The quantitative analysis involved meta-analyses conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 29 (Released 2023; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York). Sixteen studies, of which 15 were of high quality, investigated risk factors associated with LBP. One low-quality randomised controlled trial examined LBP treatment. The meta-analysis revealed significant associations between LBP and increased workload, decreased bone mineral density, and poor lumbo-pelvic control through increased side flexion during the bowling action. Strong evidence supported the association between the presence of bone marrow oedema (BMO) and LBP. Bone marrow oedema on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides an early indicator before the development of stress fractures, serving as a valid and reliable screening tool. Workload monitoring plays a crucial role in identifying high-risk bowlers. However, further research is needed to establish causal relationships among several other risk factors outlined. Additionally, addressing the scarcity of high-quality interventional studies is of utmost importance.
下背部疼痛（LBP）对各级板球运动员都构成了重大挑战，常常导致康复期超过八个月，并可能使赛季提前结束。尽管在以往的研究中已经确定了可改变的风险因素和干预措施，但仍缺乏对过去十年的全面综述。随着20 Twenty（T20）等较短比赛形式的引入以及职业板球的兴起，需要对预防和治疗板球运动员LBP的风险因素和干预措施进行更新评估。本研究批判性地评估和总结了该领域的当前认识，纳入了先前的建议，并考虑了不断演变的板球格局。使用SportsDiscus、MEDLINE、CINAHL、ISI Web of Knowledge和Cochrane图书馆等数据库进行了系统综述。利用了与板球运动员LBP相关的关键词。除了范图尔德的证据水平标准外，还应用了唐恩和布莱克质量评估工具。定量分析涉及使用IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows 29版（2023年发布；IBM公司，纽约州阿蒙克）进行的荟萃分析。十六项研究调查了与LBP相关的风险因素，其中十五项质量较高。一项低质量的随机对照试验研究了LBP治疗。荟萃分析显示，LBP与工作量增加、骨矿物质密度降低以及投球动作中侧屈增加导致的腰骨盆控制不良之间存在显著关联。有力证据支持骨髓水肿（BMO）与LBP之间的关联。磁共振成像（MRI）上的骨髓水肿是应力性骨折发生前的早期指标，是一种有效且可靠的筛查工具。工作量监测在识别高危投球手方面起着至关重要的作用。然而，需要进一步研究以确定所概述的其他几个风险因素之间的因果关系。此外，解决高质量干预研究的稀缺问题至关重要。
