EFFECTIVENESS OF SPORTS-SPECIFIC WARM-UP PROGRAMS IN PREVENTING SOFT TISSUE INJURIES IN CRICKET PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Background: Soft tissue injuries such as hamstring strains, groin pulls, and shoulder overuse syndromes are highly prevalent in cricket, affecting both professional and club-level players. These injuries often result from rapid sprinting, rotational stress during bowling or batting, and sudden deceleration. Despite known risk factors, structured warm-up programs tailored to cricket are rarely implemented in domestic settings.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured sports-specific warm-up program in reducing soft tissue injuries and improving physical performance in cricket players compared with conventional warm-ups.

Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Health & Wellness Physio Rehab Center, Swabi, and local cricket academies between January and September 2025. A total of 120 male club-level cricket players (aged 16–35 years) were randomized into an intervention group (sports-specific warm-up) or a control group (general warm-up). The intervention was performed 3–4 times per week for 12 weeks. Injury incidence, exposure hours, and functional outcomes (strength, flexibility, balance, sprint time) were measured. Poisson regression was used to estimate injury incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Functional data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results: Over 4,800 player-hours, the intervention group sustained 13 time-loss soft tissue injuries (5.2 injuries/1000 player-hours), whereas the control group recorded 22 injuries (9.1/1000 player-hours), reflecting a 43% reduction (IRR 0.57, 95% CI 0.34–0.95, p=0.028). Significant improvements were observed in hamstring flexibility (+9.1°, p<0.001), hip adduction strength (+14.8%, p=0.004), and 20 m sprint performance (−0.14 s, p=0.03). Adherence exceeded 85%.

Conclusion: The cricket-specific warm-up program significantly reduced the rate of soft tissue injuries and improved functional performance. Implementation of structured warm-ups in cricket practice is recommended for injury prevention and athletic enhancement.