Effect of Timing of Eccentric Hamstring Strengthening Exercises During Soccer Training: Implications for Muscle Fatigability

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a field-based injury prevention exercise on eccentric hamstring strength during simulated soccer match play. Sixteen semiprofessional soccer players (age 21.3 +/- 2.9 years; height 185.0 +/- 8.7 cm; body mass 81.6 +/- 6.7 kg) completed the Soccer-specific Aerobic Field Test (SAFT90), a multidirectional 90-minute exercise protocol representative of soccer match play. Subjects performed 3 maximal dominant-limb isokinetic contractions at 120 degrees x s(-1) for concentric knee extensors (conQ) and flexors (conH), and eccentric knee flexors (eccH) before SAFT90 (t0), at half-time (t45), and immediately after the SAFT90 (t105). After baseline testing, subjects were divided into 2 groups, either performing Nordic hamstring eccentric strengthening exercises during the cool-down (CD) or warm-up (WU) of twice-weekly training sessions. After an 8-week intervention program, the baseline testing was repeated. The WU group displayed a significant increase postintervention in eccH gravity-corrected peak torque (PT) and the functional eccH:conQ ratio at t0 (p < 0.01), a significantly greater improvement compared with CD group (p < 0.05). Conversely, the CD group displayed a significant increase in both eccH PT and the functional eccH:conQ ratio postintervention at t45 (p < 0.05) and at t105 (p < 0.05), which were significantly greater increases compared with the WU group (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that the training intervention had a time-dependent beneficial effect on eccentric hamstring strength and that strength training conducted posttraining significantly reduced the negative influence of fatigue.

Rescheduling Part 2 of the 11+ reduces injury burden and increases compliance in semi‐professional football

“…In the current study, however, the incidence of hamstring injury was similar in the Standard‐11+ and P2 post groups, and collectively 50% lower than our previous research, suggesting that scheduling of the NHE does not impact effectiveness. Performing NHEs prior to training can, however, transiently reduce eccentric hamstring strength, which can in turn increase injury risk . This can contribute to negative perceptions of the 11+ because fatigue and soreness from the NHE are reported barriers to 11+ program adoption .…”

Implementing concurrent-training and nutritional strategies in professional football: a complex challenge for coaches and practitioners

“…Few studies have investigated the long-term effect of concurrent-training sequence (Bell et al 1988;Collins et al 1993;Gravelle and Blessing 2000;Chtara et al 2005;Chtara et al 2008;Small et al 2009;McGawley and Andersson 2013). Those who have investigated the effect of concurrent-training sequence have reported conflicting results, although such studies have used untrained participants and diverse concurrent-training protocols unlike those used by professional football teams.…”

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

“…These qualitative changes in activity would require higher-class athletes to be at an elevated level of function before RTP because of the fatiguing effects of soccer activity on the hamstrings muscles. [33][34][35] Similarly, differences in the intensity of activity may explain the difference in RTP time between event type and season for first-time and recurrent hamstrings strains among male athletes. Professional soccer players have a greater volume of high-intensity runs and a higher work-to-rest ratio during competitions than during practices.…”