The Acute Effect of Match-Play on Hip Isometric Strength and Flexibility in Female Field Hockey Players

Esther Morencos,Pablo Terrón-Manrique,Violeta Sánchez-Migallón,Alvaro López-Samanes,Victor Moreno-Pérez,Archit Navandar,Vicente Fernández-Ruiz

doi:10.3390/app10144900

Esther Morencos, Pablo Terrón-Manrique + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app10144900

Copy DOI

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the acute effect of simulated field hockey match-play on isometric knee flexion, adductor (ADD) and abductor (ABD) strength, adductor/abductor (ADD/ABD) strength ratio, countermovement jump height (CMJ), hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM). Thirty competitive female field hockey players (23.0 ± 3.9 years old) participated in the study. Apart from the afore-mentioned variables, external (through GPS) and internal load (through RPE) were measured before (pre-match) and immediately after simulated hockey match-play (post-match) in both limbs. Isometric knee flexion strength (+7.0%, p = 0.047) and hip flexion ROM (+4.4%, p = 0.022) were higher post-match in the non-dominant limb, while CMJ values reduced (−11.33%, p = 0.008) when comparing from pre-match data. In addition, no differences were observed for isometric hip ADD, ABD, ADD/ABD strength ratio, passive hip flexion ROM and ankle dorsiflexion ROM test. A simulated field-hockey match produces an increment in hip isometric strength and hip flexion ROM values in the non-dominant limb and a decrease in jump height capacity. As a result, CMJ assessment should be considered post-match in order to identify players who would require further rest before returning to training.

Highlights

Field hockey is an intermittent sport where hockey players perform repeated actions such as changes of direction, dribbles, sprints, accelerations, decelerations and body impacts alternating high and moderate with low intensity efforts [1]
Female hockey players covered a mean distance of 5456.50 ± 699.09 m across different velocity profiles (Table 1)
The aim of this study was to determine the acute effect of hockey match-play on several risk factors such as isometric knee flexion, hip ADD and ABD strength, ADD/ABD strength ratio, passive hip flexion range of motion (ROM), ankle dorsiflexion ROM and countermovement jump height (CMJ) in competitive female hockey players

Summary

Introduction

Field hockey is an intermittent sport where hockey players perform repeated actions such as changes of direction, dribbles, sprints, accelerations, decelerations and body impacts alternating high and moderate with low intensity efforts [1]. Previous studies have reported an average of 14 to 48 injuries per 1000 h attributed to the high physical demands of this sport [4,5]. Most of these field hockey injuries have been reported in the lower limbs, especially in the thigh and groin [6], with the hamstring strain injury. Identification of the risk factors associated with groin and/or hamstring injury occurrence is essential

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion