Abstract
Hamstring strains are the most common injury in multiple sprint sports, with inadequate eccentric hamstring strength and fatigue identified as important risk factors. Resistance training interventions aimed at reducing injury risk typically focus on the development of maximum strength, while little is known about the impact of training on hamstring fatigue resistance. The present study compared the effects of strength endurance (SE) with a strength intervention (S) on the eccentric hamstring strength decline induced by a simulated soccer match. Twenty-one female soccer players were randomly assigned to a S group (n = 10) or a SE group (n = 11). Hamstrings and quadriceps isokinetic concentric and eccentric peak torque (PT) were assessed at 120°.s-1 and hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio (HEcc:QCon) calculated, pre- and immediately post a 90-min simulated match (BEAST90). This was repeated following a 7-week intervention of either three to five sets of 6RM leg curl and stiff-leg deadlift with 3-min inter-set rest (S), or the same exercises performed using three sets of 12–20 RM with 45–90 s inter-set rest (SE). At baseline, the simulated match led to significant declines in hamstrings eccentric peak torque (EccPT) in both groups in both dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) legs [SE: (D: -15.5, ND: -15.6%), P = 0.001 to 0.016; S: (D: -12.3%, ND: -15.5%), P = 0.001 to 0.018]. After the 7-week intervention, we observed a group∗intervention∗match interaction such that there was no significant decline in EccPT in the SE group following the simulated match (D: 5.3%, ND: 2.0%), but there remained significant declines in the S group (D: -14.2%, ND: -15.5%, P = 0.018–0.001). Similarly, in the SE group, there was a significant decrease in the HEcc:QCon in D before (-14.2%, P = 0.007), but not after the training intervention, whereas declines were observed in the S group both at baseline, and following the intervention (D: -13.9%, ND: -15.6%, P = 0.045). These results demonstrate that SE training can reduce the magnitude of the EccPT decline observed during soccer competition. As inadequate eccentric strength and fatigue are both risk factors for hamstring injury, SE training should be considered along with the development of peak eccentric strength, as a component of programs aimed at reducing injury risk in multiple-sprint sports.
Highlights
Resistance training is considered to be an important component of the conditioning practices of soccer teams, both in the context of performance (Silva et al, 2015) and injury risk reduction (McCall et al, 2015a)
There was a significant decline in hamstrings eccentric peak torque (EccPT) post-match relative to pre-match values in the dominant (P = 0.001, d: 0.33, 95% CI: −28.7 to −12.4 %BM) and non-dominant leg (P = 0.009, d: 0.37, 95% CI: −33.6 to −6.3 %BM)
This suggests that adaptations associated with strength endurance training may be an effective strategy to protect against hamstrings strength decline during the latter stages of match-play and in turn have an important role in reducing vulnerability to hamstring and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the part of the match identified as the highest risk period for injuries (Woods et al, 2004; Waldén et al, 2011)
Summary
Resistance training is considered to be an important component of the conditioning practices of soccer teams, both in the context of performance (Silva et al, 2015) and injury risk reduction (McCall et al, 2015a). In soccer and other multiple sprint sports, lower eccentric hamstrings strength assessed in the nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) (Bourne et al, 2015; Opar et al, 2015; Timmins et al, 2016) or using Isokinetic dynamometry (Green et al, 2018) has been identified as a risk factor for hamstrings strain injuries (HSI). As hamstring strains are the most common injuries in soccer (Woods et al, 2004) and other multiple sprint sports (Dick et al, 2007), establishing and implementing an optimal risk reduction conditioning program could have an important impact on player availability
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
