Soccer Fatigue, Sprinting and Hamstring Injury Risk

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a multi-directional soccer-specific fatigue protocol on sprinting kinematics in relation to hamstring injury risk. Nine semi-professional soccer players (Mean +/- SD: Age: 21.3 +/- 2.9 year; Height 185.0 +/- 8.7 cm; Body Mass 81.6 +/- 6.7 kg) completed the SAFT(90); a multi-directional, intermittent 90 min exercise protocol representative of soccer match-play. The 10m sprint times and three-dimensional kinematic data were recorded using a high-speed motion capture system (Qualisys Track Manager) every 15 min during the SAFT(90). A significant time dependent increase was observed in sprint time during the SAFT(90) (P<0.01) with a corresponding significant decrease in stride length (P<0.01). Analysis of the kinematic sprint data revealed significantly reduced combined maximal hip flexion and knee extension angle, indicating reduced hamstring length, between pre-exercise and half-time (P<0.01) and pre-exercise and full-time (P<0.05). These findings revealed that the SAFT(90) produced time dependent impairments in sprinting performance and kinematics of technique which may result from shorter hamstring muscle length. Alterations in sprinting technique may have implications for the increased predisposition to hamstring strain injury during the latter stages of soccer match-play.

Tier-specific evolution of match performance characteristics in the English Premier League: it’s getting tougher at the top

“…Given the sub-maximal nature of soccer, whereby players work well within their physical capacity (Paul, Bradley & Nassis, 2015), the increase in physical performance of Tier B clubs could be related to added incentives to push for a top four position given the financial rewards now afforded to Tier A (Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance, 2013;Oberstone, 2009). Finally, previous research has proposed an association between volume of sprinting in match play and hamstring injury risk (Small, McNaughton, Greig, Lohkamp, & Lovell, 2009). Although no evidence exists of injury occurrence by Tier, the present data would suggest those playing for clubs finishing in Tier B might have been at greater risk of injury and may therefore benefit more from appropriate injury prevention strategies but all Tiers should utilise such an approach.…”

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.…”

“…22,23 The larger volume of high-intensity activities may lead to relatively greater hamstrings fatigue, which results in an increased injury risk, especially when decelerating from a sprint. 33 In addition, practices are more controlled, and as players fatigue, they may regulate the intensity and volume of high-intensity activity, which would reduce the strain on the hamstrings. Therefore, the extent of muscle damage may be greater when a player injures the hamstrings during a competition, thus requiring an increase in the RTP time.…”

Programas de exercício na prevenção de lesões em jogadores de futebol: uma revisão sistemática

“…Artigos excluídos após leitura integral (n=17) Resumos (n=1) 35 Comentários (n=1) 34 Programa de intervenção não relacionado a prevenção de lesões (n=4) 36,38,40,42 Não apresenta dados sobre isquiotibiais (n=4) 14,37,39,41 Não tem programa de exercício (n=3) [44][45][46] Amostra com gênero masculino e feminino (n=1) 13 Não é artigo científico (n=1) 47 Protocolo (n=2) 43,48 Artigos avaliados para elegibilidade após leitura integral (potencialmente incluídos)…”