Can a clinical test of hamstring strength identify football players at risk of hamstring strain?
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the potential for a simple clinical test of hamstring muscle strength to identify susceptibility to muscle strain injury.


METHODS
A single-case design was used; specifically, an elite-level male Australian Rules football player performed bilateral isometric maximum voluntary contractions of the hamstring muscles on a weekly basis for a period of 5 weeks preceding a right hamstring muscle strain injury.


RESULTS
Minimal asymmetry (no greater than ±1.2% difference) was evident in the hamstring isometric maximum voluntary contractions during the first 4 weeks, but 5 days prior to injury, the right hamstring isometric maximum voluntary contraction was reduced by 10.9% compared to the left.


CONCLUSIONS
Measuring asymmetry in isometric maximum voluntary contractions of the hamstring muscles may be a useful clinical test to identify susceptibility to muscle strain injury.
Schache
Anthony G
AG
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. anthonys@unimelb.edu.au
Crossley
Kay M
KM
Macindoe
Ian G
IG
Fahrner
Brendan B
BB
Pandy
Marcus G
MG
D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D019722:Sphygmomanometers; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult