Sprint running mechanics are associated with hamstring strain injury: a 6-month prospective cohort study of 126 elite male footballers

Bramah, Christopher; Rhodes, Samantha; Clarke-Cornwell, Alexandra; Dos'Santos, Thomas

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between sprint running biomechanics and sprint-related hamstring strain injury (HSI) in elite male football players. Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited 126 professional male football players from eight clubs in the English football league, who were followed across a 6-month period. Maximal velocity sprint running videos (240 fps) were collected from five teams during preseason (June to August) and three teams during the in-season period (October to March) and subsequently assessed using the Sprint Mechanics Assessment Score (S-MAS) by a single, blinded assessor. Sprint-related HSI within the previous 12 months and any new MRI-confirmed sprint-related HSI were reported by club medical staff. Incidence rate ratios were calculated using a Poisson regression model to determine the association between S-MAS and new sprint-related HSIs. Results: There were 23 players with a previous sprint-related HSI and 17 new HSIs during the follow-up period, with 14 sprint-related injuries. S-MAS values were significantly greater among players with a previous HSI (median difference (MD): 1, p=0.007, 95% CI: 0 to 3) and those sustaining a new sprint-related HSI (MD: 2, p=0.006, 95% CI: 1 to 3) compared with uninjured players. Adjusting for age and previous injury found a significant association between the S-MAS and prospective sprint-related HSIs, with an adjusted incidence rate ratio of 1.33 (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.76) for each one-point increase in S-MAS. Conclusions: This is the first study to identify an association between sprint running kinematics and prospective sprint-related HSI in elite male football players. Sprint running mechanics assessed using the S-MAS were associated with both past and future HSIs, with a 33% increase in the risk of a new HSI with every one-point increase in S-MAS. Given the association to injury, evaluating sprint mechanics within rehabilitation and injury prevention may be warranted.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 11, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Mar 23, 2025
• Publication Date: Mar 23, 2025
• Deposit Date: Mar 12, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 23, 2025
• Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine
• Print ISSN: 0306-3674
• Electronic ISSN: 1473-0480
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 59
• Issue: 14
• Pages: bjsports-2024-108600
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108600
• Keywords: Football, Running, Rehabilitation, Sporting injuries, Hamstring Muscles