Key result
Previous hamstring strain was not associated with significant differences in horizontal or vertical peak forces during maximum sprint running compared to uninjured limbs or healthy controls.
Why the study?
Does previous hamstring injury result in horizontal force deficits during maximum sprint running in male football players?
Cross-Sectional (n=17)
No
Does previous hamstring injury result in horizontal force deficits during maximum sprint running in male football players?
The study challenges the idea that functional force deficits in sprint running can serve as a diagnostic measure of hamstring re-injury risk, as no significant differences were found between previously injured and non-injured players.
No sprint force deficits observed post-hamstring strain; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change return-to-play practice.
Hamstring injuries constitute one of the most concerning injuries in English Premier League football, due to its high primary incidence but also its recurrence. Functional methods assessing hamstring function during high-risk performance tasks such as sprinting are vital to identify potential risk factors. The purpose of this study was to assess horizontal force deficits during maximum sprint running on a non-motorized treadmill in football players with previous history of hamstring strains as a pre-season risk-assessment in a club setting. 17 male football players from one Premier League Club were divided into 2 groups, experimental (n=6, age=24.5±2.3 years) and control (n=11, age=21.3±1.2 years), according to history of previous hamstring injury. Participants performed a protocol including a 10-s maximum sprint on a non-motorized treadmill. Force deficits during acceleration phase and steady state phases of the sprint were assessed between limbs and between groups. The main outcome measures were horizontal and vertical peak forces during the acceleration phase or steady state. There were no significant differences in peak forces between previously injured and non-injured limbs, or between groups, challenging the ideas around functional force deficits in sprint running as a diagnostic measure of hamstring re-injury risk.
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Barreira et al. (2015) conducted a cross-sectional in Hamstring strain (n=17). Previous hamstring strain vs. No previous hamstring strain was evaluated on Maximal horizontal and vertical peak forces during acceleration and steady state phases of a 10-second sprint (p=>0.05). Previous hamstring strain was not associated with significant differences in horizontal or vertical peak forces during maximum sprint running compared to uninjured limbs or healthy controls.
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