Abstract
(1) Background: this study aimed to determine if there are differences in quadriceps and hamstring muscle activation in professional male and female soccer players. (2) Methods: muscle activation was recorded by surface electromyography in 27 professional soccer players (19 male and 8 female). The players performed the Bulgarian squat and lunge exercises. Vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris were the muscles analyzed. (3) Results: The statistical analysis of the hamstring:quadriceps ratio showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). Significant differences were found in the vastus medialis:vastus lateralis ratio for both the lunge exercise (t20 = 3.35; p = 0.001; d = 1.42) and the Bulgarian squat (t23 = 4.15; p < 0.001; d = 1.76). For the intragroup muscular pattern in the lunge and Bulgarian squat exercises, the female players showed higher activation for the vastus lateralis muscle (p < 0.001) than the male players and lower muscle activation in the vastus medialis. No significant differences were found in the rectus femoris, biceps remoris, and semitendinosus muscles (p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Differences were found in the medial ratio (vastus medialis: vastus lateralis). Moreover, regarding the intramuscular pattern, very consistent patterns have been found. In the quadriceps muscle: VM>VL>RF; in the hamstring muscle: ST>BF. These patterns could be very useful in the recovery process from an injury to return players to their highest performance.
Highlights
There have been numerous epidemiological studies in soccer for estimating that hamstring strain injuries (HSI) in soccer represent 10–12% of all injuries [1], which indicates five to six injuries per team per season [1]
Significant differences in the medial ratio (VM:vastus lateralis (VL) ratio) between the two groups were found for the two exercises
Significant differences were found between both groups for vastus medialis (VM) and VL activations
Summary
There have been numerous epidemiological studies in soccer for estimating that hamstring strain injuries (HSI) in soccer represent 10–12% of all injuries [1], which indicates five to six injuries per team per season [1]. The cost per injury is estimated to €6355 [2], of which 46% of the players are from relapse [3]. Quadriceps injury represents 19% of total injuries and approximately 16% of hamstring injuries [6]. The main risk factors reported for HSI in soccer are previous injuries [7,8,9], muscle power imbalance [5,10], neuromuscular disorders [11], and fatigue [12,13,14].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
