Cricket Season Is Upon Us!

Dr Jarryd Crisp-OSTEOPATH-Double Bachelor of Health Science/Applied Science (Osteopathy)

Despite the current restrictions associated with COVID-19, cricket season is fast approaching. Pre-season has well and truly begun, and clubs are doing everything they can to prepare for the upcoming season.

The last 18 months has been extremely difficult for community sport. Clubs and players have needed to be flexible and open minded in regards to training and preparation. This upcoming cricket season will be no different. However, this does not devalue the importance of establishing good habits. If anything, it strongly affirms the importance of maintaining good exercise regimes in order to reduce the likelihood of injury during the regular season.

Some strategies to incorporate into your preparation over the next few months could include:

• Steady increase in running workload, including long and short distance.
• Avoiding long bowling spells in the early stages of your pre-season. Gradually build up your work load. The same principles can be applied to batting. Keep in mind that we are using a lot of different muscle groups when batting and bowling. So, when coming off an extended break over the winter months, expect to be generally sore after the first few training sessions. This further highlights the importance of gradual loading, and allowing your body to adjust to these unaccustomed movements.
• Light intensity fielding drills early on. Many of these drills require agility and speed. Therefore, if the body is not prepared for this type of activity, injury can occur.
• Monitoring your workload during the season. This is especially important for bowlers. Know when to say No!

Cricket is a game of endurance, agility, stamina and mental strength. As mentioned, we are using many different muscle groups when batting, bowling and fielding. So, it is imperative to establish good habits early on during pre-season. In doing so, this will help reduce the likelihood of injury during the regular season.

If you have any questions regarding your current exercise regime and management, please do not hesitate to give one of our friendly osteopaths a call at the clinic on 9747 0077.