The ECB and PCA have welcomed the results of a study of former elite male cricketers which have been published in Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.
The study, led by the Arthritis Research UK Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis and part-funded by the ECB with support from the PCA, compared the physical and mental health of 113 former players aged 50 and above to their equivalents in the general population – part of the ECB and PCA’s commitment to increasing understanding of this important subject.
It followed the recent publication of the results of a similar study involving former rugby union players, with another study on former footballers due to be published soon.
The findings showed a combination of positive and negative impacts of a career in professional cricket.
The former cricketers were found to have a 45% lower risk of heart disease, and there were also trends towards lower diabetes and stroke and blood pressure.
The overwhelming majority (98%) feel enriched by their life in cricket, would choose to do it again (97%), and would recommend it to a loved one (94%).
There was an increased incidence of seeking treatment for osteoarthritis in hip and knee, and a higher proportion of the cricketers who responded to the survey described at some point in their life having suffered depression anxiety.
However an additional qualitative study by Filbay et al. published in BMJ Open, found that these former cricketers were often very satisfied with their quality of life despite living with joint pain. Possible explanations for this were the high level of resilience and the positive attitudes about pain and physical impairments that were common amongst these former cricketers. Feelings of accomplishment and pride for their past cricket career also appeared to have a positive impact on their quality of life after retirement from cricket.
Lead researcher Betsy Jones, from Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), explained: “With the importance of physical activity to a healthy lifestyle, it’s important for us to acknowledge the health benefits and understand any negative impacts of sport so that we can inform healthy participation. Our first study findings in Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport will contribute to dialogue on the benefits and risks in sport, and how best to care for the long-term health of elite athletes.”
Centre deputy director Professor Nigel Arden added: “The cricket studies are among several projects our Centre is undertaking to find out more about the effect of playing sports such as cricket, rugby, and football on players’ joints and overall health in later life. It is important to assess the effects of sport participation on all aspects of players’ health and quality of life, and we have demonstrated some of the long-term benefits of exercise in this study. We will continue to determine which risk factors may be contributing to the increased risk of osteoarthritis so that we can better understand its development and ultimately design prevention strategies.”
Dr Nick Peirce, the ECB’s Chief Medical Officer, said: “This survey is part of a long-term strategy being jointly pursued by the ECB and PCA to support player welfare and to examine strategies to reduce the burden of osteoarthritis and mental health issues that appear to be associated with professional sport, through supporting research with ARUK.
“The sample size is relatively small, but it confirms that we must continue to think and work proactively on issues affecting the mental and physical health of players after retirement. Previous PCA surveys have shown that around 20% of players go through low mood and anxiety during their first two years of retirement which this study supports. Cricket is striving to reduce the stigma of mental health issues and it remains a key priority, helped by the work of the PCA and its ambassadors. We will also look to share our Duty of Care with other leading professional sports that are starting to tackle this area.
“We welcome ARUK support of research in this area, through their funding of another five-year cycle of the ARUK centres in conjunction with bodies such as Oxford University that have supervised this research.”
Ian Thomas PCA; Director of Development and Welfare, said:
“Studies like this help the PCA confirm and understand the challenges a life in professional cricket can lead to.
“The PCA, ECB and the PCA Benevolent Fund work together to develop support and education to better deal with challenges that come after finishing a playing career.
“The PCA and ECB take a proactive approach to support players transitioning into the professional arena and now work equally as hard to help players deal with the transition after playing professionally through a variety of interventions.”