Publication Date
2016
Publication Details
Timmins, R. G, Bourne, M. N, Shield, A. J, Williams, M., Lorenzen, C. & Opar, DA. (2016). Biceps femoris long head architecture, eccentric knee flexor strength and hamstring injury risk in professional football (soccer): A prospective cohort study [accepted manuscript]. British Journal of Sports Medicine,50(24), Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095362
Abstract
Background/Aim: To investigate the role of eccentric knee flexor strength, between-limb imbalance and biceps femoris long head (BFlh) fascicle length on the risk of a future hamstring strain injury (HSI).
Methods: Elite soccer players (n=152) from eight different teams participated. Eccentric knee flexor strength during the Nordic hamstring exercise and BFlh fascicle length were assessed at the beginning of pre-season. The occurrences of a HSI following this were recorded by the team medical staff. Relative risk (RR) was determined for univariate data, and logistic regression was employed for multivariate data.
Results: Twenty-seven new HSIs were reported. Eccentric knee flexor strength below 337N (RR = 4.4; 95% CI = 1.1 to 17.5) and BFlh fascicles shorter than 10.56cm (RR = 4.1; 95% CI=1.9 to 8.7) significantly increased the risk of a subsequent HSI. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significant effects when combinations of age, previous history of HSI, eccentric knee flexor strength and BFlh fascicle length were explored. From these analyses the likelihood of a future HSI in older athletes or those with a previous HSI history was reduced if high levels of eccentric knee flexor strength and longer BFlh fascicles were present.
Conclusions: The presence of short BFlh fascicles and low levels of eccentric strength in elite soccer players increase the risk of a future HSI. The greater risk of a future HSI in older players or those with a previous HSI is reduced when they possess longer BFlh fascicles and high levels of eccentric strength.
School/Institute
School of Exercise Science
Document Type
Open Access Journal Article
Access Rights
Open Access
AM_Timmins_2016_Biceps_femoris_long_head_architecture_ eccentric-Figure 2.tif (59 kB)
AM_Timmins_2016_Biceps_femoris_long_head_architecture_ eccentric-Figure 3.tif (42 kB)
AM_Timmins_2016_Biceps_femoris_long_head_architecture_ eccentric-Figure 4.tif (57 kB)
AM_Timmins_2016_Biceps_femoris_long_head_architecture_ eccentric-Figure 5.tif (57 kB)