Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Retired cricket players needed for health research project
The study, led by Dr Karen Hind and Ian Entwistle, at Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie Research Institute, along with researchers at the Auckland University of Technology and the University of Aberdeen, will examine links between concussions, wellbeing, neuropsychological, neurocognitive and neuromuscular health in retired cricket players across the country.
Results from the retired cricket players will be compared to those of retired rugby players, recruited through the UK Rugby Health project. The project will also explore muscle, bone, joint and cardiometabolic health.
Researchers are hoping to recruit as many retired (the odd match is fine) cricket players as possible over the age of 30, who have been formerly involved in the sport either as a professional, semi-professional or as an amateur.
Speaking about the study, Dr Karen Hind, a Senior Research Fellow at Leeds Beckett, said: “We are inviting retired cricket players to take part in this important study on the long-term health of athletes – anyone taking part will be entered into a cash prize draw. The study will provide crucial information to inform future player welfare.
“The study will examine links between prior injuries and current musculoskeletal health, and prior concussions and current neuropsychological health. Lower back injuries are particularly problematic for some cricketers so we will be exploring this to see if there are any longer-term consequences. Another key focus is on osteoporosis and osteoarthritis in former players.
“We need retired cricket players to enrol regardless of how they are getting on - whether they are happy and healthy, or having difficulty with any aspect of their lives. The results of the UK project will be combined with results from the New Zealand Rugby and Cricket Health project, led by Professor Patria Hume, Auckland University of Technology, to strengthen confidence and representativeness of the findings.”
To take part in this project, there are two online questionnaires to complete – followed by clinical assessments which will take place at Leeds Beckett University and include bone, joint and body composition evaluation, strength and neuromuscular assessments and a cardiometabolic examination by blood test and electrocardiogram (ECG).
Dr Hind added: ''We are grateful to the Carnegie Research Development Fund, Auckland University of Technology, Biosense, Natus and Tekscan for providing support to this important project. We now just need retired cricketers to take part. All those who take part will receive copies of their own results and project reports will be provided to the governing bodies. There is also a £350 cash prize draw for respondents with several runners up prizes”.