title: Progression of mechanical properties during on-field sprint running after returning to sports from a hamstring muscle injury in soccer players.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to examine the consequences of an acute hamstring injury on performance and mechanical properties of sprint-running at the time of returning to sports and after the subsequent ~2 months of regular soccer training after return. 28 semi-professional male soccer players, 14 with a recent history of unilateral hamstring injury and 14 without prior injury, participated in the study. All players performed two 50-m maximal sprints when cleared to return to play (Test 1), and 11 injured players performed the same sprint test about 2 months after returning to play (Test 2). Sprint performance (i. e., speed) was measured via a radar gun and used to derive linear horizontal force-velocity relationships from which the following variables obtained: theoretical maximal velocity (V(0)), horizontal force (F(H0)) and horizontal power (Pmax). Upon returning to sports the injured players were moderately slower compared to the uninjured players. F H0 and Pmax were also substantially lower in the injured players. At Test 2, the injured players showed a very likely increase in F(H0) and Pmax concomitant with improvements in early acceleration performance. Practitioners should consider assessing and training horizontal force production during sprint running after acute hamstring injuries in soccer players before they return to sports.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, ZENTRUM Rehab and Performance Center, Barañain, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendiguchia
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Exercise Physiology (EA4338), University of Savoy, Le Bourget du Lac, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Samozino
authors.affiliation: Chair of Sports Traumatology, Catholic University of San Antonio, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martinez-Ruiz
authors.affiliation: Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brughelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmikli
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, University of Saint-Etienne, France.
authors.forename: J-B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.affiliation: Sport Science, ASPIRE Academy for Sports Excellence, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mendez-Villanueva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries*; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology*; D013848:Thigh / Q000293:injuries*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult