Days to Return to Participation After a Hamstrings Strain Among American Collegiate Soccer Players

Abstract

Context: Among US collegiate soccer players, the incidence rate and the event characteristics of hamstrings strains differ between sexes, but comparisons in the return-to-participation (RTP) time have not been reported.Objective: To compare the RTP time between male and female collegiate soccer players and analyze the influence of event characteristics on the RTP time for each sex.Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting: Data were collected from collegiate teams that voluntarily participated in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System. Main Outcome Measure(s): Nonparametric statistics were used to evaluate RTP time differences between sexes and among categories of each event characteristic (ie, time of season, practice or competition, player position). Negative binomial regression was used to model the RTP time for each sex. All analyses were performed separately for first-time and recurrent strains.Results: We found no differences in the RTP time between sexes for first-time (median: men ¼ 7.0 days, women ¼ 6.0 days; P ¼ .07) or recurrent (median: men ¼ 11 days, women ¼ 5.5 days; P ¼ .06) hamstrings strains. For male players with first-time strains, RTP time was increased when the strain occurred during competition or the in-season/postseason and varied depending on the division of play. Among female players with first-time strains, we found no differences in RTP time within characteristics. For male players with recurrent hamstrings strains, the RTP time was longer when the injury occurred during the in-season/ postseason. Among female players with recurrent strains, RTP time was longer for forwards than for midfielders or defenders.Conclusions: Although we found no differences in the RTP time after hamstrings strains in male and female collegiate soccer players, each sex had unique event characteristics that influenced RTP time.Key Words: sports injuries, muscle injuries, sex differences Key PointsReturn-to-participation time was not different between male and female collegiate soccer players. Each sex had unique characteristics specific to the injury event that influenced the number of days to return to participation after a hamstrings strain. Programs for reducing the incidence and severity of hamstrings strains should focus on sport-specific and positionspecific training to replicate the demands of competition.

A comparison of injuries in elite male and female football players: A five‐season prospective study

“…Recovery time was similar between sexes for adductor strains and ankle lateral sprains. Previous studies in football players have not found sex differences in return to play time from ACL injury or hamstring strain, even though there is evidence suggesting that women recover slower from concussions . However, this question remains to be answered under more strict experimental conditions, controlling for initial injury severity and standardizing return to play protocols.…”

Enhancing Performance And Reducing Injury Risk: Integrating Resistance And Flexibility Training For Hamstring Injury Prevention In Rural-based Soccer Players– A Narrative Review

“…Along those lines, strength training is also crucial for improving muscular strength and power, which aids in the reduction of exposure to sustaining hamstring injuries [28]. A study by Askling et al [29] investigated the effects of short-term strength training on hamstring injuries and recovery. Concurrently, a study by Ertelt et al [28] examined the impact of a 4-week strength training program on hamstring injuries in female soccer players.…”

Capture of Time-Loss Overuse Soccer Injuries in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Injury Surveillance System, 2005–2006 Through 2007–2008

“…Descriptive epidemiologic investigations of men's and women's soccer injuries using NCAA ISS data were published in 2007. 18,19 National Collegiate Athletic Association ISS data from 2004 through 2009 were also used in 2 investigations 20,21 of hamstrings injuries in soccer players. Additionally, these data have been cited in at least 35 publications that addressed a range of collegiate athletes' injuries.…”

“…As a result, almost all injuries were to the lower extremity (which accounted for 80% of the total overuse mechanisms of injury in soccer players). 21 The restriction to time-loss medical-attention injuries was necessary considering that the data originated from the NCAA ISS, which used this injury definition until 2009.…”