title: Effects of hamstring-emphasized neuromuscular training on strength and sprinting mechanics in football players.
abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a neuromuscular training program combining eccentric hamstring muscle strength, plyometrics, and free/resisted sprinting exercises on knee extensor/flexor muscle strength, sprinting performance, and horizontal mechanical properties of sprint running in football (soccer) players. Sixty footballers were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG). Twenty-seven players completed the EG and 24 players the CG. Both groups performed regular football training while the EG performed also a neuromuscular training during a 7-week period. The EG showed a small increases in concentric quadriceps strength (ES = 0.38/0.58), a moderate to large increase in concentric (ES = 0.70/0.74) and eccentric (ES = 0.66/0.87) hamstring strength, and a small improvement in 5-m sprint performance (ES = 0.32). By contrast, the CG presented lower magnitude changes in quadriceps (ES = 0.04/0.29) and hamstring (ES = 0.27/0.34) concentric muscle strength and no changes in hamstring eccentric muscle strength (ES = -0.02/0.11). Thus, in contrast to the CG (ES = -0.27/0.14), the EG showed an almost certain increase in the hamstring/quadriceps strength functional ratio (ES = 0.32/0.75). Moreover, the CG showed small magnitude impairments in sprinting performance (ES = -0.35/-0.11). Horizontal mechanical properties of sprint running remained typically unchanged in both groups. These results indicate that a neuromuscular training program can induce positive hamstring strength and maintain sprinting performance, which might help in preventing hamstring strains in football players.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, ZENTRUM Rehab and Performance Center, Barañain, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendiguchia
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: Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, University of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, University of Savoie, Le Bourget du Lac, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Samozino
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, University of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.|Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Saint-Etienne University Hospital, Saint-Etienne, France.|Laboratory of Exercise Physiology (EA 4338), University of Lyon, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Edouard
authors.affiliation: Research Center for High Performance Sport, Catholic University of San Antonio, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Alcaraz
authors.affiliation: Chair of Sports Traumatology, Catholic University of San Antonio, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esparza-Ros
authors.affiliation: Aspire, Academy for Sports Excellence, Performance Enhancement and Talent Identification Section, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mendez-Villanueva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods*; D059385:Plyometric Exercise; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hamstring strength; football; isokinetic; soccer; sprint biomechanics