Effects of consecutive days of matchplay on maximal hip abductor and adductor strength in female field hockey players

Violeta Sánchez-Migallón,Víctor Moreno-Pérez,Archit Navandar,Álvaro López-Samanes,Per Aagaard,Juan Del Coso

doi:10.1186/s13102-021-00394-x

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two competitive field hockey matches, played on consecutive days, on maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor strength, wellness and fatigue.MethodsFourteen professional female field hockey players (age: 20.4 ± 5.4 years; body mass: 60.7 ± 7.2 kg; height: 167.0 ± 1.0 cm) volunteered to participate in this investigation. Maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor strength were obtained before (pre-match 1) and after the first match (post-match 1), after the second match (post-match 2), and 48 h after the second match. Locomotion patterns during the matches were obtained with portable Global Positioning System (GPS) and perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed after each match. In addition, Wellness Questionnaire (5-WQ) and the Total Quality Recovery Scale (TQR) were employed before the matches and 48 h after the second match.ResultsFor the non-dominant limb, the maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor strength were lower after post-match 2 when compared to pre-match 1 (p = 0.011). Hip abductor strength in the non-dominant limb remained reduced 48 h after post-match 2 (p < 0.001). There were no differences in the total distance covered when comparing match 1 and match 2. Players reported more acute fatigue (5-WQ, p = 0.009) and increased muscle soreness on pre-match 2 compared to pre-match 1 (p = 0.015), while fatigue returned to pre-competition levels 48 h after post-match 2 (p = 0.027). No changes were observed in the TQR.ConclusionThe assessment of maximal adductor and abductor strength before and after competitive matches, in addition to evaluating self-perceived fatigue by a wellness questionnaire can help to identify field hockey players with excessive fatigue responses during tournaments with a congested match program.

Highlights

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two competitive field hockey matches, played on consecutive days, on maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor strength, wellness and fatigue
The implementation of preventive measures, the identification of the risk factors associated with the development of the injury, and the understanding of potential mechanisms exacerbating the severity of groin injury are paramount for this aim [3]
In the case of isometric hip abductor strength, a time-effect was observed for the non-dominant limb (F (3,33) = 4.30, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.312), with post-hoc tests revealing a decrease at post-match 1 (pbonferroni = 0.034), post-match 2 and 48 h after post-match 2 (pbonferroni < 0.001) compared to pre-match 1 values

Summary

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two competitive field hockey matches, played on consecutive days, on maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor strength, wellness and fatigue. Preventing groin injury in field hockey is essential to reduce the burden on players and teams [2]. Previous studies conducted in other sports have identified several modifiable factors that affect the risk of groin injury, such as reduced flexibility [5, 6] and muscle weakness [7,8,9,10,11]. Amongst the modifiable risk factors, low levels of isometric hip adductor strength and/or imbalance in the hip adductor/abductor strength ratio have received much attention in the literature across a range of team sports [8]. The evidence remains somewhat conflicting and there is still no consensus regarding the role of low hip adductor/abductor muscle strength in the etiology of a groin injury

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