Effects of Different Hamstring Eccentric Exercise Programs on Preventing Lower Extremity Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the effects and differences of various hamstring eccentric training protocols for the prevention of lower limb injuries, and we further propose a more refined hamstring eccentric training protocol for the prevention of lower limb injuries. A literature search for the effects of hamstring eccentric training on lower extremity sports injuries was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases, and the literature was searched covering the period from the date of the database’s creation to 20 August 2022. A meta-analysis of the included literature was performed using R.4.21 for lower extremity injuries, injuries in various parts of the lower extremity, and subgroup analysis for exercise frequency, exercise cycle, and exercise population. A total of 23 randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were found to be included in the meta-analysis, and 15 of these trials, totaling 14,721 patients, were determined to be included in the overall lower extremity injury prevention effect. The analysis showed that the implementation of a hamstring eccentric training program reduced lower extremity injuries by 28%, and it resulted in a 46% decrease in hamstring injury rate and a 34% decrease in knee injury rate. The subgroup analysis revealed that the frequency of exercise was most significant in the twice-a-week exercise group, that the exercise program was most effective in preventing injuries in the 21–30-week exercise period, and that the program was most effective in preventing injuries in elite athletes and amateur adult athletic populations, compared with adolescents.

Weekly Programming of Hamstring-Related Training Contents in European Professional Soccer

“…On this day of the week, and according to the data collected, we observe that some general tasks are used by most teams (dominant hip and/or knee exercises), or with a tendency to use them (eccentric-overload exercises and situations without the ball where high-intensity accelerations and decelerations predominate). This could be due to the fact that eccentric strength training has been shown to have a protective effect in hamstring strain injuries [ 49 ]. Notably, isometrics, high-load concentric exercises, plyometrics, and resisted-sprint training below 20% of body mass present divided opinions in our questionnaire responses.…”

What is the Injury Incidence and Profile in Professional Male Ice Hockey? A Systematic Review.

“…In this context, it should be noted that knee injury prevention programs have been shown to be effective in several sports. [34][35][36][37] Unfortunately, however, it is still unclear whether they can prevent traumatic injuries or only non-contact ones. 38 Therefore, it would be interesting to implement these programs in ice hockey, where unlike other sports, most knee injuries are traumatic in origin.…”

Hamstring muscle activation during the flywheel exercises

“…There were some studies where the Nordic exercise which was the most commonly used eccentric hamstring exercise and FW exercises were compared. 28 Timmins and his colleagues divided a football team into two groups, one group performed the Nordic hamstring exercise and the other group performed the FW BDL exercise for preventive rehabilitation purposes during the season. In repeated measurements at the end of the season, significant changes in the length of the athletes' BF fiber in both groups compared to the pre-season were measured, and the difference between the groups were not significant.…”