Sports Medicine

Time-loss injury incidence varies by level; thigh and lumbar spine are priorities in women's cricket

Three seasons of surveillance across England and Wales elite women's cricket show highest time-loss incidence at international level (107 injuries/100 players/year). Domestic and academy incidence were lower (48 and 51 injuries/100 players/year, respectively) but confidence intervals overlapped. The thigh was consistently among the top three time-loss sites, while lumbar spine had notable prevalence at international and academy levels. Fielding produced the most activity-specific injuries and hand injuries had the highest match-related incidence at international and domestic levels. 1

School-based 10-week flag football modestly improves sprint and jump rope in 9–11-year-olds

A Shanghai randomized trial (n=147; 128 with postdata) found the flag football group improved 1‑min jump rope by +7.4 turns versus usual PE. The intervention also improved 50 m dash time by -0.3 s versus control, with no overall VO2max or shuttle-run benefit. Subgroup analyses suggested greater aerobic gains in boys with normal weight and consistent sprint/jump benefits across BMI groups. Program delivered twice weekly for 10 weeks; consider sex- and weight-specific task progressions when implementing. 2

Network meta-analysis: shooting-game VR ranks highest for pain and kinesiophobia in CLBP

A 25-RCT network meta-analysis (2,610 participants) ranked shooting-game VR highest for pain reduction (SMD -4.40; 95% CrI -6.80 to -2.20). Shooting games also reduced kinesiophobia (SMD -3.40; 95% CrI -5.60 to -1.10), while disability outcomes showed no clear superiority. Overall evidence quality ranged from very low to moderate and heterogeneity across VR modalities was substantial. These data support VR as a promising adjunct for CLBP pain and fear reduction but are not definitive for improving disability. 3