Browsing by Author "Gray, Janine"

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    A structured light solution for detecting scapular dyskinesis
    (2018) Verster, Jaco; Gray, Janine; Sivarasu, Sudesh; Mutsvangwa, Tinashe
    Scapular dyskinesis is a common occurrence in overhead athletes, i.e. athletes who participate in any sport where the upper arm and shoulder is used above the athlete’s head. However, no consensus has been reached on how to evaluate scapular dyskinesis quantitatively. In this thesis, we developed a measuring tool that can be used to evaluate certain key clinical parameters specific to scapular dyskinesis. The tool employs a 3D structured light computer vision approach to create a surface map of the soft-tissue across the scapula. This surface map is then analysed using surface curvature analysis techniques to identify the key clinical parameters associated with scapular dyskinesis. The main advantage of this method is that it provides a measurement tool that may facilitate future quantitative analysis of these key parameters. This may aid with diagnosis and monitoring of the condition by allowing measurement data to be collected both before and after treatment and rehabilitation. We expect that this tool will make the monitoring of treatment effectiveness easier while contributing to diagnostic computer vision.
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    The effect of medial patellar taping on pain, strength and neuromuscular recruitment in subjects with and without patellofemoral pain
    (2003) Brown, Janet; Gray, Janine; Harley, Yolande
    Patellofemoral disorders are amongst the most common clinical conditions encountered in the sporting and general population [8, 33, 68]. Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is usually described as diffuse, peripatellar, anterior knee pain [8, 61].
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    The effect of shoulder pain on the neuromuscular activity of the scapular stabilizing muscles
    (2005) Oliver, Delphine; Gibson, Alan St Clair; Gray, Janine; John, Lester; Taliep, Sharhidd
    Neuromuscular activity of the scapular stabilizing muscles in subjects with and and without chronic shoulder impingement syndrome. To examine differences in neuromuscular activity of the scapular stabilizing muscles in subjects with and without chronic shoulder impingement syndrome during an abduction movement of the shoulder.
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    Identifying risk factors contributing to the development of shoulder pain and injury in male, adolescent water polo players
    (2020) Jameson,Yale; Gray, Janine; Roche, Stephen
    Water polo is a fast-growing adolescent sport that consists of swimming, defending and overhead shooting in an aquatic environment. The high demands on the shoulder to complete these tasks are proposed to cause the high injury incidence reported in the sport. The novelty of this research rests in its clinically valuable contribution to understanding shoulder injury aetiology in adolescent water polo players as overhead throwing athletes. The overall research aim of this thesis explores the musculoskeletal profile of a male adolescent water polo players shoulder and the intrinsic factors associated with shoulder injury risk. An overview of the literature (Chapter 2) explores the biomechanics of water polo including swimming and overhead throwing; the musculoskeletal adaptations of overhead throwing in water polo compared to other overhead sports; and the epidemiology of shoulder injury in water polo players relative to other overhead sports. Due to the absence of a consensus-based definition of injury in water polo comparison of existing quality epidemiological studies in the sport was limited. Additionally, although a limited amount of studies have proposed potential risk factors to shoulder injury in water polo players, significant correlations are yet to be found. As with other overhead sports, the water polo shoulder is prone to injury due to the generation of high force during a modified upright swimming posture, repetitive swimming stroke and overhead throwing at high velocities. Male adolescent water polo players were recruited for this study. Chapter 3 describes the adolescent water polo player's shoulder musculoskeletal profile and its association with shoulder injury prevalence throughout a single water polo season. The musculoskeletal variables included pain provocation, range of motion, strength, flexibility and shoulder stability tests which have been used previously in overhead athletes to investigate injury prevention and performance. There were three steps in the data collection process. Firstly, informed consent and assent, demographic, competition, training and injury history, and a shoulder-specific functional questionnaire was acquired from participants. Secondly, a battery of pre-season musculoskeletal tests was performed. The battery of tests included: anthropometry, pain-provocation, glenohumeral and upward scapula range of motion, glenohumeral and scapula muscle strength, glenohumeral flexibility and shoulder stability measurements. Thirdly, at the end of the season participants completed an injury report and training load questionnaire. Participants who experienced shoulder pain, with or without medical management, were categorised into the injury group and those who did not were categorised as uninjured. Chapter 3 documents the adolescent water polo players shoulder musculoskeletal profile, shoulder injury prevalence and the association between these intrinsic risk factors and injury. Specifically, adolescent water polo players present with significant side-to-side asymmetry in the lower trapezius (p = 0.01), upward scapula rotation ROM at 90° glenohumeral elevation (p = 0.03), glenohumeral internal and external rotation ROM (p = 0.01), glenohumeral internal and external strength (p = 0.05 and p = 0.01 respectively) and the pectoralis minor index (p = 0.01). Twenty-four participants (49%) sustained a shoulder injury during the season with the dominant shoulder more commonly affected (54.2%). The most common aggravating factors were identified as throwing (41.7%) and shooting (20.8%). Although significantly lower scores on the pre-season shoulder-specific functional questionnaire (p = 0.01) and significantly greater upward scapula rotation at 90° glenohumeral elevation (p = 0.01) on the dominant shoulder was found in the injured group compared to the uninjured group, no factors were significantly associated with increased injury risk. In conclusion, the findings suggest that male adolescent water polo players are a high-risk population for shoulder injury. It is suggested that improving the players, coaches and parents' health literacy, particularly of the shoulder, and incorporating preventative exercises, targeting modifiable risk factors and side-to-side asymmetry, into pre-season conditioning programmes may reduce the prevalence of shoulder injury in this sporting population. While this research contributes to the epidemiology of shoulder injuries in water polo players, further research is needed to continue to report on injury incidence and associated risk factors, particularly training and workload characteristics in the water polo population.
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    Intrinsic risk factors associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome
    (2003) Prowse, Tracy; Gray, Janine; Schwellnus, Martin
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    Neuromuscular control and physical performance following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a semitendinosus
    (2006) De Villiers, Elsje; Gray, Janine; Gibson, Alan St Clair
    Includes bibliographical references.
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    Open Access
    Screening for risk factors associated with non-specific shoulder pain in mail adolescent water polo players
    (2022) Tully, Paula Lauren; Gray, Janine; Roche, Stephen
    Water polo is a fast-growing aquatic sport that combines swimming, overhead throwing, defending and grappling. There are great demands placed on the shoulder to complete these activities and shoulder pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint among water polo players. The aetiology of shoulder injury amongst water polo players is not well understood and there is limited research investigating the adolescent water polo population. The aim of this thesis was to identify the incidence of shoulder pain over a 12-week period and determine the contribution of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors in the development of non-specific shoulder pain in male adolescent water polo players. An overview of the literature (Chapter 2) includes the biomechanics of throwing and swimming; the epidemiology of shoulder injury in water polo players; and the current understanding of risk factors for shoulder injuries and the screening thereof. Risk factors for shoulder injury in swimming have been identified as weakness of the glenohumeral (GH) internal rotator muscles, altered GH range of motion (ROM), GH joint laxity, high training loads, pectoralis minor tightness and altered scapular control. In other overhead throwing sports the risk factors include altered GH ROM and glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD), shoulder muscles weakness, altered scapular control, pitching velocity, age, height, early sport specialisation, throwing with arm fatigue and a heavy workload. A few studies have proposed potential risk factors for shoulder injury in water polo players but significant associations have not been found and little is known about the musculoskeletal risk factors. However, water polo players are susceptible to shoulder pain due to repetitive overheard throwing at high velocities, the repetitive swimming stroke as well as the unique upright swimming style. Chapter 3 presents the research findings. This study recruited male adolescent water polo players between the ages of 14-18 who were not currently experiencing shoulder pain. Participants underwent a pre-season screening session followed by a period of in-season monitoring for 12 weeks. The pre-season screening included a demographic questionnaire, the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) Shoulder and Elbow Score, anthropometry and maturation testing as well as shoulder specific tests to assess for shoulder pain, shoulder range of movement, shoulder strength, shoulder flexibility and shoulder stability. The experience of shoulder pain and participant training load was then monitored using a selfreport questionnaire. Participants were categorised into two groups (shoulder pain and no shoulder pain) based on their report of pain, irrespective of a medical diagnosis. The shoulder musculoskeletal profile of the water polo players, the incidence of shoulder pain and the player's training loads are presented (Chapter 3). Shoulder pain was reported by 52% of the participants at least once during the 12-week monitoring period, with pain in both the shoulders simultaneously (56%) or the dominant shoulder only (42%) commonly reported. The onset of activity was reported most commonly as swimming (55%) followed by throwing (38%). Participants with shoulder pain had mean KJOC scores lower than 90, and were significantly older (p = 0.003), heavier (p = 0.050) and the predicted years from peak height velocity (PHV) was greater (p = 0.029) than those without shoulder pain. An interaction was found between pain/no pain and dominant/non-dominant side for isometric internal rotation (IR) strength (p = 0.049), with stronger IR muscles in the dominant shoulder of the group with shoulder pain. Significant shoulder asymmetries were identified, however there was no association between the variables and the development of shoulder pain. In general, the participants presented with greater external rotation (ER) ROM and total range of motion (TROM) in the dominant shoulder, greater isometric strength of the IR muscles, serratus anterior (SA), upper trapezius (UT) and lower trapezius (LT) muscles, as well as reduced pectoralis minor length (PML) and a lower pectoralis minor index (PMI) on the dominant side. There was a significant difference between pain/no pain and the hours of water polo matches in weeks 3-4, with a higher work load in the shoulder pain group compared to the no shoulder pain group (p = 0.008). Participants with shoulder pain reported significantly lower selfperceived strength scores for passing, shooting, swimming, defending and gym training compared to those without shoulder pain. In conclusion (Chapter 4), there is a high incidence of shoulder pain among male adolescent water polo players, which is in line with the findings from other studies. The players who developed shoulder pain were significantly older, heavier and had a higher predicated age from PHV than those without shoulder pain. This may suggest a trend towards cumulative overloading and it's likely that the key players of water polo teams may be at greater risk of developing shoulder pain. Greater IR strength was observed in the dominant shoulder of those players with shoulder pain, indicating that the more powerful throwers are developing shoulder pain. The relative weakness of the ER muscles suggests that players are unable to effectively control through deceleration of the throwing motion. This cohort presented with significant asymmetries in GH ROM, rotator and scapular muscle strength, and shoulder flexibility; however, these variables were not associated with shoulder pain. Asymmetries have been associated with pain in previous studies, so these variables should not be ruled out as risk factors for injury. Participants of this study reported the activity most commonly associated with shoulder pain was swimming, not throwing, and bilateral shoulder pain was commonly reported. This would suggest that the musculoskeletal profile of the non-dominant side is indeed important and that the implications of significant asymmetries should be evaluated further in a larger population. KJOC scores seem to be in line with those for baseball players and a score below 90 may indicate an at-risk athlete. An increase in competitive match play was associated with an increase in shoulder pain. This should inform coaches to structure training and recovery appropriately during tournaments or weeks with a high load of matches. This study provides a basis for further investigation into shoulder injuries among adolescent water polo players, as well as the prevention and management thereof. It is advised that coaches and medical staff endeavour to identify at-risk players. Rehabilitation programs should be implemented to target the modifiable risk factors identified in this study, in order to reduce the incidence and prevalence of shoulder pain.
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    Socio-ecological factors in talent development in cricketers in a diverse society
    (2018) Dove, Mary Ann; Draper, Catherine E; Gray, Janine; Taliep, Sharhidd
    Introduction: In recent years, there has been a move to understand the environment and context in which athletes develop. South Africa’s unique context provides an opportunity to understand how environmental factors could influence talent development in cricket. Since democracy, there has been limited representation of Black African cricketers at the elite levels in South Africa. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to determine the role that socio-ecological factors may play in the development of cricket talent in a diverse society. Methods: Qualitative research methods were used to explore the experiences and perceptions of South Africa’s male cricketers as they progressed through the talent pathway from exposure to the game to the elite level. The perceived effectiveness of the introduction of an ethnic target policy was also explored. Seventy-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of players from all ethnic groups (n=43), and with knowledgeable and experienced key informants (n=16). A thematic analysis of the data resulted in the identification of themes which are presented using a multi-level socio-ecological framework. Results: All players progressed to the elite level; however, their access points to and routes through the pathway varied. This progress was influenced by the inter-relationship of distal and proximal socio-ecological factors that they experienced during their cricketing careers. These influences can be summarised into five talent development components that acted either as barriers or enablers to progress: (1) access to opportunities and competition, (2) holistic player development, (3) effective support networks, (4) inclusive team environments, and (5) adaptive mind-sets. In addition, various intrapersonal characteristics were identified that further affect a player’s ability to achieve elite cricketing success. Finally, it was determined that an ethnic target policy alone is not an effective intervention for developing cricket talent in a diverse society undergoing transition. Conclusion: A socio-ecological framework to talent development lends additional support to the idiosyncratic, multifactorial, dynamic and complex way in which cricket expertise is achieved, particularly in diverse societies. It provides stakeholders involved in the talent development process with evidence to inform policy and practice, as well as design effective interventions.
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    The cricketing shoulder: biomechanics and analysis of potential injury risk factors to the shoulder in elite cricketers
    (2019) Dutton, Megan Charmaine; Gray, Janine; Tam, Nicholas
    Historically, cricketing literature has explored the disciplines of bowling and batting, with fielding receiving little attention until its importance was highlighted by the introduction of T20 matches. The novelty of this research lies in its clinically meaningful contribution to understanding shoulder injury aetiology in cricketers as overhead throwing athletes. The studies included in this thesis investigate the musculoskeletal profile of a cricketer’s shoulder, as well as the intrinsic factors associated with shoulder injury risk. Further, the influence of some of these risk factors on the cricketers’ overhead throwing biomechanics is explored and intend to improve the development of cricket-specific shoulder injury prevention programmes. An overview of the literature (Chapter 2) includes the epidemiology of shoulder injuries in cricketers; as well as a description of overhead throwing kinematics and the musculoskeletal adaptations associated with overhead throwing in cricket, compared to baseball, which has the greatest volume of throwing related studies. Based on previous outdated definitions of injury and not the current consensus definitions, shoulder injuries in cricket have been reported to occur infrequently. Various injury surveillance studies have identified time-loss shoulder injuries in cricketers, yet none have considered non-time-loss shoulder injuries. Although a limited number of studies have proposed potential intrinsic risk factors to shoulder injury in cricketers, no associations have been found. However, the cricketer’s shoulder is prone to injury due to the high forces generated while repeatedly throwing overhead during fielding. While overhead throwing biomechanics has been well investigated in baseball, minimal research exists for cricket. In addition, the understanding of throwing biomechanics in cricket has relied on two-dimensional motion analysis that is known to be insufficient for the analysis of rotational kinematics and kinetics. Elite (senior national and franchise) cricketers were recruited for this study. This study consisted of two parts. During the first part of the thesis demographic, training, competition and injury history data were obtained; and a shoulder-specific functional questionnaire and pre-season shoulder screening protocol were performed, prior to annual musculoskeletal screening. The incidence of all shoulder injuries were recorded throughout a six month cricket season. A profile of pertinent risk factors was assessed. The second part of the thesis evaluated throwing biomechanics of cricketers. Upper quarter, spinal, pelvic and hip kinematics, as well as shoulder and elbow kinetics were measured during the execution of overhead throwing from a stationary position, and with a run-up. This thesis includes three original papers and two experimental Chapters. The first paper (Chapter 3) documents the incidence of non-time-loss shoulder injuries in elite South African cricketers. Overall, the incidence of shoulder injury in cricketers during the 2016/2017 season was 18%, described as 5% time-loss and 13% non-time-loss injuries. Primary skill and fielding were negatively impacted in 100% and 80% of cricketers who sustained non-time-loss shoulder injuries, respectively. The entire cricket cohort recorded low scores on the shoulderspecific questionnaire, completed pre- and post-season, irrespective of injury history or injury sustained during the 2016/2017 season indicating a generalised reduction in the level of function in overhead activity. Paper 2 (Chapter 4) provides a description of the musculoskeletal profile of a cricketer’s shoulder which is atypical to the “thrower’s paradox” described in baseball. Specifically, cricketers present with a loss in total glenohumeral (GH) rotational range of motion (ROM), GH internal rotation deficit (GIRD) in the absence of external rotation gain (ERG); and global weakness of the rotator cuff and scapula stabilising muscles. Further, dominant shoulder supraspinatus tendon (SsT) thickness ≥5.85mm (sensitivity: 72%, specificity: 63%) and nondominant pectoralis minor length (PML) ≤12.85cm (sensitivity: 83%, specificity: 55%) predicted seasonal dominant shoulder injury (p< 0.05). From the findings indicated in Papers 1 and 2 (Chapters 3 and 4) it can be postulated that cricketers are generally a high-risk population for shoulder injury, amongst overhead throwing athletes, due to the lack of shoulder-specific musculoskeletal adaptation frequently observed in other overhead throwing populations. Paper 3 (Chapter 5) and experimental Chapters 6 and 7 investigate the kinematics and kinetics of overhead throwing from a stationary position, with a run-up and the consequence of GIRD in these two throwing approaches. A kinematic description of overhead throwing in cricket is provided and compared to baseball overhead pitching, in Paper 3 (Chapter 5). Maximum external rotation (MER) was regarded as the most critical point for potential shoulder injury in cricketers when throwing overhead from a stationary position. Further, a comparison between playing levels highlighted that amateur cricketers may display an increased risk for shoulder injury at MER as these cricketers were found to have decreased elbow flexion ROM in 2-14% of the throwing cycle (p=0.01), as well as greater shoulder (p=0.021) and elbow (p=0.043) compression and increased superior shoulder force (p=0.022) at MER, when compared to elite cricketers. Findings from experimental Chapter 6 indicate that when throwing with a run-up (dynamic) increased lumbo-pelvic (p=0.02) and hip flexion (p=0.01) occur sporadically in the throwing cycle, compared to throwing from a stationary position (static). In addition, increased shoulder compression (p=0.02) and posterior force (p=0.009) occur at MER, while reduced superior shoulder force (p=0.005) and elbow compression (p=0.03), superior (p=0.002) and medial (p=0.03) forces occur at ball release (BR), when throwing dynamically versus statically. These two Chapters highlight MER as the most critical point for potential shoulder injury in cricketers, which may further be attenuated by the absence of ERG, level of play and throwing from a stationary position while fielding. Experimental Chapter 7 investigated and highlights the potential correlations between GIRD, a frequently described risk factor for overhead athletes, and the other musculoskeletal variables measured, as well as overhead throwing biomechanics from a stationary and runup approach. Greater GIRD was associated with reduced passive hip external rotation ROM on the dominant side (p< 0.03), measured by inclinometer. In addition, increased GIRD was associated with reduced dominant hip abduction ROM during 0-23% of the throwing cycle (p=0.002), and superior shoulder force (p< 0.004) and elbow compression (p< 0.009), when throwing from a stationary position. Finally, greater GIRD was associated with increased posterior shoulder force at maximum internal rotation (MIR), when throwing from a stationary position (p< 0.013) and with a run-up (p< 0.03). These findings suggest that GIRD may negatively influence ball velocity specifically when cricketers attempt to throw overhead from a stationary position. Further, it is postulated that when throwing overhead (irrespective of approach) cricketers may overcome the mechanical insufficiency of GIRD by actively engaging the dominant hip internal rotators, to prematurely rotate the pelvis forward, in order to generate sufficient ball velocity. This may result in cricketers employing a throw across the body, which when repeatedly performed may cause hypertrophy of the dominant hip internal rotators, thereby reducing passive hip external rotation ROM. This biomechanical adaptation to GIRD may contribute to the cricketer’s predisposition for shoulder injury when throwing overhead, or may occur in an attempt to protect the shoulder against further injury. In conclusion, the inherent musculoskeletal profile of this elite cricketing cohort’s shoulder increases injury risk, particularly when throwing overhead. There is a need to investigate the influence of throwing volume, duration of season and player speciality on the musculoskeletal profile of the shoulder and concomitant injury in cricket. It is suggested that modifiable intrinsic factors found to be associated with shoulder injury and the performance of overhead throwing should be appropriately incorporated into injury prevention or pre-season conditioning programmes, to reduce the occurrence of injury. Further research should determine the efficacy of these programmes on shoulder injury prevention and throwing performance, in cricketers.
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    The influence of musculoskeletal variables on throwing performance in amateur and elite South African cricketers
    (2020) Ahmed, Safwaan; Gray, Janine
    The game of cricket consists of batting, bowling and fielding. Each of these disciplines require different skills and physical capabilities. The literature exploring these disciplines have traditionally focused on batting and bowling with little research on fielding. However, the increase in popularity of the T20 cricket format has highlighted the importance of optimal fielding performance on the outcome of the game. Efficient fielding requires timely ball retrieval and a well-executed return-throw with the aim of dismissing a batsman or reducing the run rate. The novelty in this research lies in its meaningful contribution in identifying and understanding the musculoskeletal factors that contribute to optimal throwing performance specifically in cricket fielding. These factors may help in the development of an exercise intervention aimed at improving throwing performance in cricketers. The aim of this thesis was to determine and understand the influence of musculoskeletal variables on throwing performance in cricketers. Further it was to compare the musculoskeletal profile between amateur and elite cricketers and to investigate if the factors that contribute to throwing performance were different between the two groups Optimal throwing performance (speed and accuracy) is built on a complex interaction of multiple physical and visuomotor variables. An overview of the literature (Chapter 2) describes the multi-faceted contribution of a range of variables to throwing performance. It includes the contributions and interactions of both the musculoskeletal system and throwing biomechanics to throwing performance. It further compares the musculoskeletal and biomechanical profile of a cricketer to a baseballer and other throwers, as well as compares differences between amateur and elite throwers in relation to throwing performance. While baseballers have been described as superior throwers to cricketers, it is important to understand that the factors that make up optimal performance between the populations are different. Cricketers appear to have a different musculoskeletal profile compared to other throwers such as baseball pitchers. For example, cricketers do not demonstrate an increased shoulder external rotation gain as demonstrated by many throwers and have a markedly reduced shoulder rotational strength and hip strength compared to baseball players, amongst other factors. Biomechanically, cricketers tend to throw with a more side arm position with less shoulder external rotation which has been found to be an inferior position compared to an overhead throwing technique when considering both velocity and accuracy. In addition, playing experience and workload within the same sport may also influence the contributors to performance. Cricketers have been shown to have a lower workload threshold with regard to injury risk, compared to baseball, and therefore mismanagement of throwing workloads specific to cricket may have implications on injury risk and subsequently throwing performance. It can therefore be understood that optimal throwing performance is best achieved when training is not only customised to the sport, but to each individual player as well. The thesis includes two original papers. The first research paper describes the association between musculoskeletal variables and a throwing performance test to evaluate amateur cricketers. Throwing performance included ball velocity and a novel throwing accuracy test. The musculoskeletal variables included strength, range of movement, stability tests which have been previously used to investigate overhead athletes in a number of sports, for both injury prevention and performance. The aim of the second paper was to evaluate elite athletes with the same testing battery to identify if there were differences in musculoskeletal profile and throwing performance between cricketers at different playing levels and whether similar musculoskeletal factors accounted for throwing performance for the two groups. Data collection involved three main steps. First, demographic data, injury history, training experience and a shoulder function questionnaire was completed by participants. Secondly, musculoskeletal testing which included strength measures of the shoulder complex and hip, shoulder range of motion measures, scapula upward rotation positions and an upper-limb endurance test was performed on participants. Lastly, participants completed a throwing performance test which was performed indoors to control for environmental conditions. A maximal throwing speed test (measured with a radar gun) required players to throw over a distance of 20 m, as well as a maximal accuracy test which used a novel target board was performed. To investigate the association between musculoskeletal variables and throwing speed (TS) and accuracy (TA), bivariate analysis and multivariate linear regression analyses was performed for both groups. Paper 1 documents the association between a range of musculoskeletal variables and throwing performance (TP) in amateur cricketers. Of the 31 musculoskeletal variables, only one variable correlated with TS and one variable with TA. Specifically, hip abduction strength was positively associated with TS (r = 0.38) (p = 0.015): on average, a strength increase of 10 Newtons (N) was associated with an increase in TS of 0.60 km/h (95% CI: 0.12-1.08). Nondominant pectoralis minor length correlated positively with TA (r = 0.52) (p = 0.004): on average, a one-centimetre increase in the length correlated to an increase, of 0.633 points (95% CI: 0.225 - 1.041). Paper 2 documents the musculoskeletal variables that were associated with TP in elite cricketers, in addition to musculoskeletal differences between elite and amateur cricketers. Of the 31 musculoskeletal variables only one variable correlated with TS and one with TA in the elite group. Specifically, horizontal adduction range of motion was positively associated with TS (r = 0.38) (p = 0.045), on average, a one-degree increase in shoulder horizontal adduction range of motion was associated with an increase in TS of 0.46 km/h (95% CI: 0.012 - 0.920). Dominant internal rotation strength correlated positively with TA (r = 0.45) (p = 0.019): on average, a strength increase of 10 N was associated with an increase, of 0.34 points (95% CI: 0.06 – 0.62). Throwing speed and TA between groups were not significantly different. Six of the thirty-one musculoskeletal variables measured were found to be significantly different between groups. This signified that firstly, players of different levels may have different musculoskeletal profiles even when playing the same sport. Secondly this highlighted that even while TP had been similar, the variables that were associated with performance were different. The relationship between musculoskeletal variables and TP was further evaluated for the combined group of cricketers. In a combined group statistic, internal rotation strength (r = 0.35) and hip abduction strength (r = 0.72) were both positively correlated with TS (p < 0.05) while pectoralis minor length was positively correlated with TA (r = 0.50) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, from an array of musculoskeletal variables, throwing speed was positively associated with hip abduction strength in the amateur and combined groups, internal rotation strength in the combined group only, and horizontal adduction range of motion in the elite group only. Throwing accuracy was found to be associated with pectoralis minor length in the amateur and combined groups, and internal rotation strength in the elite group only. The musculoskeletal variables linked to TP were different between amateur and elite players. Further, the musculoskeletal profile of cricketers varied between experience levels. This suggests that optimal throwing performance interventions should be based on individual player assessment, or at the very least should be designed to the relevant game and experience level. A future controlled trial should investigate whether an exercise intervention aimed at increasing hip abduction strength in the amateur group, horizontal adduction range in the elite group, and shoulder internal rotation strength in both groups can improve TS; and whether increasing shoulder internal rotation strength in the elite group, and pectoralis minor length in both groups can improve TA.