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Neuromuscular control of specific muscles during sprinting decreased hamstring injury risk in soccer players
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Investigators found a correlation between the muscle activity of the core unit during running and the occurrence of hamstring injuries in male soccer players.
In this case-control study, researchers identified 60 amateur soccer players to participate in a multi-muscle surface electromyography assessment during maximal acceleration to full-speed sprinting. During a 1.5-season follow-up, hamstring injury occurrence was registered. Investigators evaluated hamstring activity, gluteal activity and trunk muscle activity time series during airborne and stance phases of acceleration. Investigators determined whether there was a correlation between injury occurrence and absence from sport during follow-up.
Results showed that during the front swing phase, there were significantly higher amounts of gluteal muscle activity among players who did not have a hamstring injury. Investigators also found higher amounts of trunk muscle activity during the backswing phase of sprinting in these players.
“In particular, the risk of sustaining a hamstring injury during follow-up lowered by 20% and 6%, with a 10% increment in normalized muscle activity of the gluteus maximus during the front swing and the trunk muscles during the backswing, respectively (P < .024),” the investigators wrote. – by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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