The effect of a cricket fielding session on glenohumeral range of motion and active joint position sense.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of a cricket fielding session, at an identified throwing injury risk workload, on shoulder joint position sense (JPS) and active range of motion (AROM) in cricketers.

DESIGN: Repeated measures observational study.

SETTING: Indoor cricket centre.

PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen, asymptomatic University cricketers.

MAIN OUTCOME: AROM was assessed supine at 90° abduction and from this 10% off end range IR and ER was used as the position matching angle to assess JPS. JPS error scores as well as AROM were assessed pre and post a cricket fielding session consisting of 40 throws.

RESULTS: Following the cricket fielding session, no alteration in JPS in ER (p = 0.91) or IR (p = 0.27) was observed. There was however a significant decrease in IR (-3.9°) following the fielding drill (p = 0.007) while no significant change was observed in ER or total motion.

CONCLUSION: Active IR ROM is significantly decreased immediately following a cricket fielding drill, while no alterations in JPS were observed. High levels of eccentric stress have been reported in the external rotators after throwing which may contribute to the acute musculotendinous adaptations observed. Changes in IR may be a contributing factor to workload-acquired shoulder throwing injuries.