Angle-specific eccentric hamstring fatigue after simulated soccer

Cohen, DD; Zhao, B; Okwera, B; Matthews, MJ; Delextrat, A

Abstract

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of simulated soccer on the hamstrings eccentric torque-angle profile and angle of peak torque (APTeccH), and on the hamstrings:quadriceps torque ratio at specific joint angles (ASHecc:Qcon).


Methods:

The authors assessed dominant-limb isokinetic concentric and eccentric knee flexion and concentric knee extension at 120°/s in 9 semiprofessional male soccer players immediately before and after they completed the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST).


Results:

The LIST resulted in significant decreases in eccentric hamstrings torque at 60°, 50°, and 10° and a significant (21.8%) decrease in ASHecc:Qcon at 10° (P < .05). APTeccH increased from 7.1° ± 1.0° to 18.8° ± 4.2° (P < .05). Eccentric hamstrings peak torque significantly declined from 185.1 ± 70.4 N·m pre-LIST to 150.9 ± 58.5 N·m post-LIST (P = .002), but there were no significant changes in hamstrings or quadriceps concentric peak torque (P = .312, .169, respectively).


Conclusions:

Simulated soccer results in a selective loss of eccentric hamstrings torque and hamstrings-to-quadriceps muscle balance at an extended joint position and a shift in the eccentric hamstrings APT to a shorter length, changes that could increase vulnerability to hamstrings injury. These findings suggest that injury-risk screening could be improved by evaluating the eccentric hamstrings torque-angle profile and hamstrings strength-endurance and that the development of hamstrings fatigue resistance and long-length eccentric strength may reduce injury incidence.

Citation

Cohen, D., Zhao, B., Okwera, B., Matthews, M., & Delextrat, A. (2015). Angle-specific eccentric hamstring fatigue after simulated soccer. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 10(3), 325-331. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2014-0088

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Oct 26, 2016
• Journal: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
• Print ISSN: 1555-0265
• Publisher: Human Kinetics
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 325-331
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2014-0088
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2014-0088
• Related Public URLs: http://journals.humankinetics.com/journal/ijspp