Key result
Regular football training during a season increased mid-season dominant hamstring strength (+11.1%, p=0.002) but progressively reduced end-season dominant hip extension ROM (-49.0%, p=0.006).
Why the study?
Hamstring strength deficits and hip range of motion are risk factors for hamstring injuries, but information is lacking on how chronic exposure to regular football training affects these parameters.
Does regular football training and match-play affect hamstring muscle strength and hip range of motion over a competitive season in semi-professional football players?
Cohort (n=26)
Does regular football training and match-play affect hamstring muscle strength and hip range of motion over a competitive season in semi-professional football players?
Regular football training over a season leads to progressive reductions in hip extension range of motion, suggesting a need for targeted stretching and conditioning.
Hypothesis-generating for seasonal hamstring and hip changes in football; larger prospective studies needed before clinical adoption.
Deficits in hamstring muscle strength and in hip range of motion (ROM) have been considered risk factors for hamstring muscle injuries. However, there is a lack of information on how chronic exposure to regular football training affects hamstring muscle strength and hip ROM. The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal effect of football training and competition during a complete season on hamstring muscle strength and hip ROM in football players. A total of 26 semi-professional football players underwent measurements of isometric hamstring muscle strength and passive hip flexion/extension, and internal/external hip rotation (IR/ER) ROM during the football season (pre-season, mid-season, end-season). Compared to pre-season, hamstring muscle strength increased in the dominant (+11.1%, p = 0.002) and non-dominant (+10.5%, p = 0.014) limbs in the mid-season. Compared to mid-season, hamstring strength decreased in the dominant (−9.3%, p = 0.034) limb at end-season. Compared to the pre-season, hip extension ROM decreased in mid-season in the dominant (−31.7%, p = 0.007) and non-dominant (−44.1%, p = 0.004) limbs, and further decreased at end-season (−49.0%, p = 0.006 and −68.0%, p < 0.001) for the dominant and non-dominant limbs. Interlimb asymmetry for hip IR ROM increased by 57.8% (p < 0.002) from pre-season to mid-season. In summary, while hamstring muscle strength increased during the first half of the football season in football players, a progressive reduction in hip extension ROM was observed throughout the season. The reduced hip extension ROM suggests a reduced mobility of the hip flexors, e.g., iliopsoas, produced by the continuous practice of football. Consequently, hip-specific stretching and conditioning exercises programs should be implemented during the football season.
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Moreno-Pérez et al. (2022) conducted a cohort in Healthy football players (n=26). Football training and match-play vs. Pre-season baseline was evaluated on Hamstring muscle strength and passive hip flexion/extension and internal/external hip rotation ROM. Regular football training during a season increased mid-season dominant hamstring strength (+11.1%, p=0.002) but progressively reduced end-season dominant hip extension ROM (-49.0%, p=0.006).
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