Hamstring Strain Injury Research Articles

Effects of low-level laser therapy on hamstring strain injury rehabilitation: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on functional rehabilitation following hamstring strain injury (HSI) in amateur athletes treated with an exercise-based rehabilitation program. DesignRandomized controlled trial. MethodsMale athletes (18–40 years old) who sustained HSI were randomized in LLLT or placebo groups. All patients were engaged in the same exercise-based rehabilitation program until they met specific criteria to return to sport. Hamstring muscles were treated with LLLT or placebo immediately after each rehabilitation session. The primary outcome was time-to-return to sport. Secondary outcomes were the number of rehabilitation sessions, hamstring flexibility, hamstring strength, and re-injury rate. ResultsTwenty-four athletes began rehabilitation, and 22 (11 per group) completed the study schedule. Participants of LLLT and placebo groups had similar age, body size, injury characteristics, and baseline levels of hamstring flexibility and strength. The two groups increased flexibility and strength similarly throughout the rehabilitation program. Time-to-return to sport was the same for athletes treated with LLLT (23 ± 9 days) and placebo (24 ± 13 days). There were no re-injuries within 6 months after return to sport. ConclusionLLLT, as used in this study, did not optimize functional rehabilitation following HSI in amateur athletes treated with an exercise-based rehabilitation program.

Improvements in Match-Related Physical Performance of Professional Soccer Players After the Application of an on-Field Training Program for Hamstring Injury Rehabilitation.

Although there are multiple, validated return-to-play programs following hamstring strain injuries, no studies have evaluated their changes in match performance parameters. The aim of this study was twofold as follows: (1) to determine the changes in match-based physical performance parameters in professional soccer players before and after sustaining a hamstring strain injury and undergoing a soccer-specific rehabilitation program and (2) to observe the progress of these performance parameters 6 to 10 weeks after the player returned from injury. Prospective, quasi-experimental longitudinal study. Soccer playing and training grounds. Nineteen players suffering a hamstring strain injury from 2 male professional teams playing in the Spanish professional football league (La Liga) were followed during the 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 seasons. Participation in on-field training program following a hamstring injury. Match global positioning system data were collected in the following stages: prior to injury (PRE), after return to play (RTP), program, and 6 to 10 weeks following RTP (C2). Peak velocities and distances ran at sprint velocities showed most likely improvements in C2 versus PRE, and very likely improvements in RTP versus PRE. The distances ran at high and very high intensities, the average velocity, and work-to-rest ratio showed very likely improvements in C2 versus RTP and likely improvements in RTP versus PRE. Likely improvements were observed for all variables in C2 versus RTP. The authors' results showed an improvement of physical performance during competitive match after RTP, compared with PRE. There was a steady progression in the progress, and in 8 months following RTP, there was no injury reported in the players. The current findings may indicate that the hamstring muscle complex not only recovered completely from the injury but could also withstand a greater training and match load reducing the risk of reinjury.

ACCURACY OF THE FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREEN (FMSTM) ACTIVE STRAIGHT LEG RAISE TEST TO EVALUATE HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY IN SOCCER PLAYERS

Poor flexibility is considered a risk factor for the hamstring strain injury, and the active straight leg raise (ASLR) test proposed as a part of the Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS™) has been used to assess athletes hamstring flexibility. However, the accuracy of this screening test remains undescribed. To examine the accuracy of the FMS™ ASLR test for assessment of hamstring flexibility in soccer players. Cross-sectional study. One-hundred and one male soccer players (age, 21 ± 3 years; height, 179 ± 7 cm; weight, 75 ± 9 kg) were bilaterally evaluated. All players performed a gold standard test for hamstring flexibility evaluation: the passive straight leg raise (PSLR) test measured using a gravitational inclinometer. All players also performed the ASLR test and were scored using the criteria proposed by the FMS™. Of the 202 lower limbs evaluated, 17.82% scored a 1 on the ASLR [mean passive flexibility: 80.44 ± 14.69 ° (55 °-110 °)], 50.99% scored a 2 on the ASLR [mean passive flexibility = 84.60 ± 10.59 ° (56 °-115 °)], and 31.18% scored a 3 on the ASLR [mean passive flexibility = 92.32 ± 11.53 ° (70 °-120 °)]. Limbs with FMS™ score of 3 presented significantly higher values for passive flexibility than limbs with scores of 1 and 2 (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between limbs with scores of 1 and 2 (p > 0.05). The score obtained in the FMS™ ASLR test does not satisfactorily stratify the level of hamstring flexibility in soccer players. 3a.

Hamstring strain injury prevention, rehabilitation and sports performance

Hamstring strain injuries remain a leading cause of time lost from competition in many sports, with negative performance and financial implications. Consequently, sports medicine researchers and clinicians have interest in prevention and rehabilitation of hamstring strain injuries, whilst also considering the demands of sports performance. This symposium aims to synthesise the latest research, providing strategies informed by evidence for hamstring strain injury prevention, rehabilitation and sports performance. Dr David Opar will provide an update on current attempts to identify risk factors and prevent hamstring strain injuries. Dr Ryan Timmins will address the hotly debated Nordic hamstring exercise and discuss alternative interventions to address hamstring strain injury risk factors. Dr Fearghal Behan will provide insight into the risk factor and performance adaptations in response to training interventions of different volume and frequency. Ms Kate Beerworth will then present on hamstring strain injuries within elite women's football and the importance of clinical assessment to inform rehabilitation. Dr Jack Hickey will discuss exercise-specific approaches to individualise rehabilitation progression and enhance adaptation following hamstring strain injury. Finally, Mr Scott Hulm will discuss the importance of preparing the injured athlete for returning to sports performance with a focus on sprinting in a high-performance environment.

Learn to drill like bolt! running drills for hamstring injury management

Hamstring injuries pose significant problems for amateur and professional athletes. Hamstring strain injury (HSI) accounts for 50 % of injuries in sprinters, and remains the most prevalent injury in Australian Rules, and the most common muscle injury in soccer and rugby. Proximal hamstring tendinopathy (PHT) frequents running-based sports, however, is distinctly different to HSI due to the chronic, overuse nature of the condition, and its tendency to affect long distance runners more than sprinters. There is emerging evidence that aberrant running biomechanics may be a contributing risk factor for hamstring injuries. Running drills are a valuable gait retraining technique and may alter force production and associated injury risk.

Ultrasound-derived Biceps Femoris Long Head Fascicle Length: Extrapolation Pitfalls.

This study aimed to compare biceps femoris long head (BFlh) fascicle length (Lf) obtained with different ultrasound-based approaches: 1) single ultrasound images and linear Lf extrapolation, 2) single ultrasound images and one of two different trigonometric equations (termed equations A and B), and 3) extended field of view (EFOV) ultrasound images. Thirty-seven elite alpine skiers (21.7 ± 2.8 yr) without a previous history of hamstring strain injury were tested. Single ultrasound images were collected with a 5-cm linear transducer from BFlh at 50% femur length and were compared with whole muscle scans acquired by EFOV ultrasound. The intrasession reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC3,k]) of Lf measurements was very high for both single ultrasound images (i.e., Lf estimated by linear extrapolation; ICC3,k = 0.96-0.99, SEM = 0.18 cm) and EFOV scans (ICC3,k = 0.91-0.98, SEM = 0.19 cm). Although extrapolation methods showed cases of Lf overestimation and underestimation when compared with EFOV scans, mean Lf measured from EFOV scans (8.07 ± 1.36 cm) was significantly shorter than Lf estimated by trigonometric equations A (9.98 ± 2.12 cm, P < 0.01) and B (8.57 ± 1.59 cm, P = 0.03), but not significantly different from Lf estimated with manual linear extrapolation (8.40 ± 1.68 cm, P = 0.13). Bland-Altman analyses revealed mean differences in Lf obtained from EFOV scans and those estimated from equation A, equation B, and manual linear extrapolation of 1.91 ± 2.1, 0.50 ± 1.0, and 0.33 ± 1.0 cm, respectively. The typical extrapolation methods used for estimating Lf from single ultrasound images are reliable within the same session, but not accurate for estimating BFlh Lf at rest with a 5-cm field of view. We recommend that EFOV scans are implemented to accurately determine intervention-related Lf changes in BFlh.

Validity of an On-Field Readaptation Program Following a Hamstring Injury in Professional Soccer.

Despite the presence of various injury prevention programs, the rate of hamstring injuries and reinjuries is increasing in soccer, warranting the need for a soccer-specific rehabilitation program. To develop and validate a new, functional on-field program for the rehabilitation and readaptation of soccer players after a hamstring strain injury through a panel of experts; and determine the usefulness of the program through its application in professional soccer players. A 13-item program was developed, which was validated by a panel of experts and later applied to professional soccer players. Soccer training ground. Fifteen strength and conditioning and rehabilitation fitness coaches with a professional experience of 15.40 (1.57) years in elite clubs and national teams in Europe validated the program. The program was later applied to 19 professional soccer players of the Spanish First Division (La Liga). Once a player sustained a clinically diagnosed injury, the player would first be subject to mobilization and strengthening exercises in the gym after undergoing treatment by percutaneous needle electrolysis. The player would then complete an on-field readaptation program consisting of 13 drills arranged in a progressive manner in terms of complexity. The drills integrated various aspects of repeated sprint abilities, retraining and reeducation of biomechanical patterns, and neuromuscular control of the core and lower limbs. Aiken's V for each item of the program and number of days taken by the players to return to play. The experts evaluated all items of the program very highly, as seen from Aiken's V values between 0.78 and 0.98 (0.63-0.99) for all drills, while the return to play was in 22.42 (2.32) days. This program has the potential to help a player suffering from a hamstring strain injury to adapt to real-match conditions in the readaptation phase through the application of sports-specific drills that were very similar to the different injury mechanisms.

Biceps femoris long head muscle fascicle length does not differ between sexes

ABSTRACT Hamstring strain injury (HSI) rates are higher for males vs. females. This cross-sectional study investigated if inherent differences in biceps femoris long head (BFLH) fascicle length (Lf) exist between recreationally active males and females (i.e., individuals without specific training practice history). Twenty-four young healthy participants (12 males; 12 females) had their BFLH muscle architecture (Lf, pennation angle [θp], and muscle thickness [MT]) measured using B-mode ultrasonography. Eccentric and isometric knee flexion strength were also assessed. BFLH Lf did not differ between sexes when expressed in absolute terms (males, 81.5 ± 14.7 mm; females, 73.6 ± 15.9 mm, P = 0.220, effect size (ES) = 0.52) or relative to femur length (0.140 ≤ P ≤ 0.220, ES = 0.63). Similarly, BFLH θp did not differ between sexes (P = 0.650) but BFLH MT was 18.9% larger for males vs. females (P = 0.024, ES = 0.99). Isometric and eccentric knee flexion strength was greater for males vs. females in absolute terms ([both] P < 0.001, 2.00 ≤ ES ≤ 2.27) and relative to body mass ([both] P < 0.001, 1.93 ≤ ES ≤ 2.13). In conclusion, factors other than BFLH Lf seem likely to be implicated in higher male vs. female HSI rates.

Neuromuscular changes in football players with previous hamstring injury

BackgroundImpact of prior injury on myoelectrical activity of the hamstrings during isokinetic eccentric contractions has received increased literature attention. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess neuromuscular adaptations, namely proprioception, core stability, muscle strength, extensibility and activity, in football players with history of hamstring strain injury. MethodsSeventeen players, 10 with history of hamstring injury and 7 without prior injury underwent isokinetic strength testing, eccentric knee extension at 30 and 120°/s. Myoelectrical activity of bicep femoris and medial hamstrings was calculated at 30, 50 and 100 ms after onset of contraction. Functional tests included core stability, muscle strength, and knee proprioception tests. FindingDifferences were observed between Hamstring Group injured and uninjured and Control Group dominant limbs in the bicep femoris activity at almost all times in both velocities (p < 0.05). Joint position sense error was higher in the injured side compared to uninjured and control dominant limb; additionally there were also differences between injured and uninjured limb in the triple-hop test. InterpretationPreviously injured side showed deficits in bicep femoris myoelectrical activity after onset of contraction during eccentric testing, proprioceptive deficits, and functional asymmetry.

The effects of sprint training and the Nordic hamstring exercise on eccentric hamstring strength and sprint performance in adolescent athletes.

Hamstring strain injuries (HSI) are among the most common injuries in field-based team sports with a high-speed running component. The implementation of the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is a well-documented method of improving eccentric hamstring strength to mitigate the risk of HSI occurrence. Sprint training is specific to the injury mechanism and is thought to activate the hamstrings through maximal eccentric contractions. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of sprint training and the NHE on eccentric hamstring strength and sprint performance. Twenty-eight participants (mean±SD age=16.21±1.34 years; height=1.75m±0.10m; body mass=68.5kg±12.1kg) completed an eccentric hamstring strength assessment and 40m sprint to assess acceleration and maximum speed. Participants were randomly allocated to either a NHE training or sprint training group. Two sessions per week for four-weeks of training was performed with baseline testing procedures repeated in the week following the intervention. Perceptions of soreness were recorded following the warm-up in each training session. Both the NHE (effect size=0.39, P<0.05) and sprint training (effect size=0.29, P<0.05) groups displayed significant gains in eccentric hamstring strength. The NHE group reported trivial improvements in sprint performance, whilst the sprint training group experienced a moderate improvement, specifically in maximum speed (ES=0.83 Moderate). Sprint training also produced greater perceptions of soreness than the NHE following a four-week training intervention, specifically before the start of the last session (P<0.05). These findings indicate that sprint training had a beneficial effect for both eccentric hamstring strength and sprint performance, whilst also producing greater soreness than the NHE following the final training session. It was concluded that a four-week block of maximum speed training may have both an injury prevention and performance enhancement benefit.

Pain-Free Versus Pain-Threshold Rehabilitation Following Acute Hamstring Strain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Randomized controlled trial. Conventional guidelines recommend hamstring strain injury (HSI) rehabilitation should only be performed and progressed in complete absence of pain, despite lack of comparison to alternative approaches. The primary aim of this study was to compare the number of days from acute HSI to return to play (RTP) clearance following a standardised rehabilitation protocol performed within either pain-free or pain-threshold limits. The secondary aims were to compare isometric knee flexor strength, biceps femoris long head (BFlh) fascicle length, fear of movement and re-injury during a six-month follow-up between pain-free and pain-threshold groups. Forty-three men with acute HSIs were randomly allocated to either a pain-free (n=22) or pain-threshold (n=21) rehabilitation group. Days from HSI to RTP clearance, isometric knee flexor strength, BFlh fascicle length, fear of movement and re-injuries within six-month follow-up were reported. The median time from HSI to RTP clearance was 15 days (95% CI = 13 to 17) in the pain-free group and 17 days (95% CI = 11 to 24) in the pain-threshold group, which was not significantly different (p = 0.37). Recovery of isometric knee flexor strength at 90/90 degrees of hip/knee flexion was greater in the pain-threshold group at RTP clearance by 15% (95% CI = 1 to 28) and by 15% (95% CI = 1 to 29) at two-month follow-up. BFlh fascicles were 0.91cm (95% CI = 0.34 to 1.48) longer at two-month follow-up in the pain-threshold group. Two re-injuries occurred in both the pain-free and pain-threshold group during six-month follow-up. Pain-threshold rehabilitation did not accelerate RTP clearance but did result in greater recovery of isometric knee flexor strength and better maintenance of BFlh fascicle length improvements compared to pain-free rehabilitation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 28 Jun 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8895.

Individual Region- and Muscle-specific Hamstring Activity at Different Running Speeds.

Hamstring strain injuries typically occur in the proximal biceps femoris long head (BFlh) at high running speeds. Strain magnitude seems to be the primary determinant of strain injury, and may be regulated by muscle activation. In running, BFlh strain is largest in the proximal region, especially at high speeds. However, region-specific activity has not been examined. This study examined the proximal-distal and intermuscular activity of BFlh and semitendinosus (ST) as a function of increasing running speed. Thirteen participants ran at steady speeds of 4.1 (slow), 5.4 (moderate), and 6.8 m·s (fast) on a treadmill. Region- and muscle-specific EMG activity were recorded at each speed using high-density EMG, and were normalized to maximal voluntary isometric activity. Muscle-tendon unit lengths were calculated from kinematic recordings. Speed effects, regional, and intermuscular differences were tested with Statistical Parametric Mapping. With increasing running speed, EMG activity increased in all regions of both muscles to a similar extent in the clinically relevant late swing phase. Increases in muscle-tendon unit lengths in late swing as a function of running speed were comparatively small. In fast running, EMG activity was highest in late swing in all regions, and reached 115% ± 20% (proximal region, mean ± 95% confidence limit), 106% ± 11% (middle), and 124% ± 16% (distal) relative to maximal voluntary isometric activity in BFlh. Regional and intermuscular EMG patterns were highly individual, but each individual maintained similar proximal-distal and intermuscular EMG activity patterns across running speeds. Running is associated with highly individual hamstring activity patterns, but these patterns are similar across speeds. It may thus be crucial to implement running at submaximal speeds early after hamstring injury for restoration of normal neuromuscular function.

Prevalence of Hamstring Strain Injury Risk Factors in Professional and Under-20 Male Football (Soccer) Players.

Hamstring strain injury (HSI) is the most prevalent injury in football (soccer), and a few intrinsic factors have been associated with higher injury rates. To describe the prevalence of the main intrinsic risk factors for HSI in professional and under-20 football players. Cross-sectional study. Physiotherapy laboratory, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (Brazil). A total of 101 football players (52 professional and 49 under-20 players). An evidence-based testing protocol for screening HSI risk factors. Anamnesis, ultrasonography of the hamstrings, passive straight-leg raise test, Functional Movement Screen, and isokinetic dynamometry were performed. Eleven HSI risk factors for each leg were assessed, besides the player's age as a systemic risk factor. Reports were delivered to the coaching staff. Professionals had greater prevalence of HSI history compared with under-20 players (40% vs 18%). No between-group differences were found for the other screening tests. Altogether, 30% of players had already sustained at least one HSI; 58% had a history of injuries in adjacent regions; 49% had short biceps femoris fascicles; 66% and 21% had poor passive and active flexibility, respectively; 42% and 29% had deficits in functional movements and core stability, respectively; 7% and 26% presented bilateral imbalance for hamstring concentric and eccentric strength, respectively; 87% and 94% obtained low values for hamstring-to-quadriceps conventional and functional ratios, respectively. Two-thirds of players had 3 to 5 risk factors per leg. None of the players was fully free of HSI risk factors. Most football players present multiple risk factors for sustaining an HSI. Hamstring weakness is the most prevalent risk factor, but the teams should also be aware of deficits in flexibility, core stability, functional movements, and hamstring fascicle length.

Hamstring rate of torque development is more affected than maximal voluntary contraction after a professional soccer match

Match-induced fatigue of knee muscle strength and agonist-antagonist strength-ratios may affect both performance and risk of injury in soccer players. Once explosive tasks are imperative in soccer as well as hamstring strain injuries occur during high-velocity moments, rapid force capacity of this muscle group is especially important. This study evaluated the effect of match-induced fatigue on knee muscle strength and strength-ratio parameters after a single professional soccer match. Male professional soccer players (n = 16; 24.2 ± 3.9 years) were tested before and after a soccer match (56.2 ± 22.6 min of playing) for knee flexors (hamstring) and extensors (quadriceps) isometric peak torque (MVC) and rate of torque development (RTD) – as well as the hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio (H:Q) – at 30° of knee flexion. Knee injuries often occur at this joint angle, which is common in sprinting, pivoting, sidecutting, and jumping. Match-induced fatigue caused a left shift in the knee extensors torque-time curve with no significant change in both early (i.e. 0–50 ms) and late (i.e. 0–200 ms) RTD, and a right shift in the knee flexors torque-time curve with a decrease in early RTD (∼16%, p = .029) and late RTD (∼11%, p = .011). Knee extensors and knee flexors peak torque remained unchanged (p > .05). Early RTD H:Q decreased by∼24% (p = .027), while late RTD H:Q and MVC H:Q remained unchanged (p > .05). In conclusion, match-induced fatigue impaired the ability to rapidly produce force at an angle where injuries are most susceptible to occur. Important information is missed if only the traditional H:Q is considered.

What are effective modalities for treatment of chronic proximal hamstring strain injuries?

Vidlock, Kathryn MD; Kung, Kyle DO; Moreland, Sarah MD; Tages, Brittany DO; Viziteu, Ciprian DO Author Information

Predisposing factors to hamstring neuromuscular deficits—implications for prevention and rehabilitation of hamstring strain injuries: a narrative review

Background: Scientific knowledge on hamstring strain injuries (HSI) constantly accumulates for the last 100 years. However HSI still exhibit high injury/re-injury rates and new areas of research must be thoroughly explored. Deficiencies that impact the close relationship between the nervous system and muscle functioning constitute a promising research direction, according to existing literature.Objectives: To outline the often-overlooked factors that pre-dispose to hamstring neuromuscular deficits, with a special emphasis on hamstring strain injury and re-injury.Major Findings: Sensory input impairment, neural tension, fatigue, competitive anxiety and lumbar-pelvic motor control deficit can all induce dysregulations of the hamstring neuromuscular functioning that may be detrimental during high-speed running. They constitute therefore serious risk factors for hamstring strain injury and re-injury.Conclusions: We devised an intervention algorithm including both evaluation procedures and hamstring management plan, by compiling and adjusting the most promising doctrines of the literature reviewed. Further research, such as randomized controlled trials, is required to provide evidence of the effectiveness and feasibility of this algorithm for patients in post-HSI recovery or as a preventive approach in the event of high suspicion of re-injury.

A Preventive Model for Hamstring Injuries in Professional Soccer: Learning Algorithms.

Hamstring strain injury (HSI) is one of the most prevalent and severe injury in professional soccer. The purpose was to analyze and compare the predictive ability of a range of machine learning techniques to select the best performing injury risk factor model to identify professional soccer players at high risk of HSIs. A total of 96 male professional soccer players underwent a pre-season screening evaluation that included a large number of individual, psychological and neuromuscular measurements. Injury surveillance was prospectively employed to capture all the HSI occurring in the 2013/2014 season. There were 18 HSIs. Injury distribution was 55.6% dominant leg and 44.4% non-dominant leg. The model generated by the SmooteBoostM1 technique with a cost-sensitive ADTree as the base classifier reported the best evaluation criteria (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve score=0.837, true positive rate=77.8%, true negative rate=83.8%) and hence was considered the best for predicting HSI. The prediction model showed moderate to high accuracy for identifying professional soccer players at risk of HSI during pre-season screenings. Therefore, the model developed might help coaches, physical trainers and medical practitioners in the decision-making process for injury prevention.

Chronic Effects of a Static Stretching Program on Hamstring Strength.

Nakao, S, Ikezoe, T, Nakamura, M, Umegaki, H, Fujita, K, Umehara, J, Kobayashi, T, Ibuki, S, and Ichihashi, N. Chronic effects of a static stretching program on hamstring strength. J Strength Cond Res 35(7): 1924-1929, 2021-This study investigated the effects of a 4-week static stretching (SS) program on isokinetic and isometric knee flexor peak torque and angle of peak torque. Thirty healthy men (age, 22.7 ± 2.2 years) were randomized to receive either of the following: (a) a 4-week stretch intervention for the hamstrings (SS intervention group; n = 15) or (b) no intervention (control group; n = 15). The maximum pain-free knee angle, passive stiffness, which was determined by a slope of torque-angle curve, isometric and isokinetic (at 60°·s-1 and 180°·s-1) peak torque, and angle of peak torque for knee flexors were measured before and after 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, passive stiffness decreased significantly in the intervention group. There were no significant changes in isometric and isokinetic (neither at 60°·s-1 nor at 180°·s-1) peak torque, or angle of peak torque at 180°·s-1. A significantly increased peak extension angle at 60°·s-1 was observed in the intervention group. These results suggest that SS intervention is effective for decreasing musculotendinous unit stiffness of the hamstrings and that an SS program influences the angle of peak torque, whereas no significant changes occur in peak torque. Because a previous study suggests that angle of peak torque is associated with hamstring strain injuries, the results of this study would be helpful when considering the training program for preventing or treating hamstring strain injuries.

Photobiomodulation therapy as a tool to prevent hamstring strain injuries by reducing soccer-induced fatigue on hamstring muscles.

Muscle fatigue is a potential risk factor for hamstring strain injuries in soccer players. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on the hamstrings' muscle fatigue of soccer players during a simulated match. Twelve male amateur soccer players (~ 25years) participated in this randomized, crossover, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. The volunteers were evaluated in two sessions, with a minimum 7-day interval. At each session, volunteers received either PBMT (300J per thigh) or placebo treatment on the hamstrings prior to the simulated soccer match. Muscle strength and functional capacity were evaluated through isokinetic dynamometry and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests, respectively, before and immediately after the simulated soccer match. Players had lower reductions on hamstring eccentric peak torque [4.85% (ES = 0.31) vs. 8.72% (ES = 0.50)], hamstring-to-quadriceps torque ratio [3.60% (ES = 0.24) vs. 7.75% (ES = 0.50)], and CMJ height [1.77% (ES = 0.09) vs. 5.47% (ES = 0.32)] when treated with PBMT compared to placebo. Magnitude-based inference supports that PBMT promoted 75%, 69%, and 53% chances for beneficial effects on hamstring eccentric peak torque, hamstring-to-quadriceps torque ratio, and CMJ height, respectively, compared to placebo treatment. In conclusion, PBMT applied before a simulated soccer match proved to be effective in attenuating the hamstrings' muscle fatigue. These findings support PBMT as a promising tool to prevent hamstring strain injury in soccer players.

Neuromuscular changes in football players with previous hamstring injury

Abstract Background Impact of prior injury on myoelectrical activity of the hamstrings during isokinetic eccentric contractions has received increased literature attention. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess neuromuscular adaptations, namely proprioception, core stability, muscle strength, extensibility and activity, in football players with history of hamstring strain injury. Methods Seventeen players, 10 with history of hamstring injury and 7 without prior injury underwent isokinetic strength testing, eccentric knee extension at 30 and 120°/s. Myoelectrical activity of bicep femoris and medial hamstrings was calculated at 30, 50 and 100 ms after onset of contraction. Functional tests included core stability, muscle strength, and knee proprioception tests. Finding Differences were observed between Hamstring Group injured and uninjured and Control Group dominant limbs in the bicep femoris activity at almost all times in both velocities (p Interpretation Previously injured side showed deficits in bicep femoris myoelectrical activity after onset of contraction during eccentric testing, proprioceptive deficits, and functional asymmetry.