Cross-Sectional Study to Explore the Prevalence of Shoulder Impingement and Its Association with Training Volume Among Cricketers in Sport Academies of Faisalabad

Purpose: Cricketers are vulnerable to high-risk injuries. Throwing and striking are the two activities that put the most strain and effort at the shoulder joint and leads to shoulder impingement and other problems. To explore the prevalence of shoulder impingement and its association with training volume among cricketers in sport academies of Faisalabad. Methodology: It was cross-sectional study. Study was conducted from November 2018 to January 2019. Sample size of the study was 116. Convenient sampling technique was used to enrolled participants in study. Inclusion criteria of the study were the cricket players of age between 13 to 22 years, practice regularly in sport academies of Faisalabad. Players of Faisalabad cricket academies including, Saeed Ajmal International Cricket Academy, Eden cricket & Fitness center, Combined cricket club, National Cricket Club, Lyallpur Gymkhana cricket club and Prince Gymkhana Cricket Club, Faisalabad were interviewed and evaluated for the presence of shoulder impingement. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Data was presented in forms of tables and graphs. Findings: Out of 116 cricket players, 28.44% were spinners, 41.37% were fast bowlers and 30.17% were batsmen. Shoulder impingement was found to be present in 49(42%) of the cricketers in sport academies of Faisalabad. Chi- square test showed a statistically significant association between shoulder impingement and training volume (p<0.05). Recommendations: Shoulder impingement had a prevalence of 42% in cricketers of Faisalabad. A statistically significant association was found between shoulder impingement and training volume among cricketers of sport academies in Faisalabad. This study was informed by the BiomechanicalTheory, emphasizing the importance of considering mechanical stressors on the shoulder region in cricketers. To reduce the occurrence of shoulder pain among cricket players, practitioners should emphasize proper biomechanical techniques in training programs, with a focus on shoulder joint stability and injury prevention strategies. Policymakers should advocate for sports injury prevention programs that incorporate fundamental biomechanical concepts into training curricula, ensuring cricket players' long-term shoulder health and ensuring the sport's long-term viability.