Hamstring Injuries Prevention in Soccer: A Narrative Review of Current Literature

Abstract

Hamstring injuries and reinjuries are one of the most important sport lesions in several sport activities including soccer, Australian football, track and field, rugby, and in general in all sport activities requiring sprinting and acceleration. However, it is important to distinguish between the lesions of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus and semimembranosus. Indeed, three muscles representing the hamstring complex have a very different injury etiology and consequently require different prevention strategies. This fact may explain, at least in part, the high incidence of reinjuries. In soccer, hamstring injuries cause an important rate of time loss (i.e., in average 15–21 matches missed per club per season). The hamstring injury risk factors may be subdivided in three categories: “primary injury risk factors” (i.e., the risk factors mainly causing a first lesion), “recurrent injury risk factors” (i.e., the risk that can cause a reinjury), and bivalent injury risk factors” (i.e., the risk factors that can cause both primary injuries and reinjuries). The high incidence of hamstring lesions caused consequently an important increase in hamstring injury research. However, although the prevention has increased paradoxically, epidemiological data do not show a loss in injuries and/or reinjuries but, on the contrary, they show an increase in hamstring injuries. This apparent paradox highlights the importance both of the improvement in the prevention programs quality and the criteria for return to play after hamstring injury.

Keywords

injury mechanism - risk factors - anatomical location - biomechanics

Introduction

Hamstring muscle tears are frequent injuries in professional soccer players[1] [2] [3] [4] representing on average 17% of all soccer injuries.[2] [5] The severity of the issue ranges from delayed onset muscle soreness to a complete muscle tear.[6] In soccer, the risk of a hamstring injury is 2.5 greater than an injury to the quadriceps muscle.[7] A professional soccer team records on average a rate of 10 hamstring strain injuries per season.[8] [9] This means approximately 90 days of time loss due to injury and on average 15 to 21 matches missed per club per season.[4] [10] [11] In terms of exposure, the hamstring injuries incidence is 0.87 to 0.96/1,000 hours.[12]

The hamstring injuries represent an important problem not only in soccer. In Australian football, hamstring injuries are the cause of approximately 20% of all missed games,[13] in track and field the incidence ranges between 10 and 14%,[14] [15] [16] and in rugby between 6 and 15%.[17] [18] [19] Hamstring injuries are also common in dancing,[20] waterskiing,[21] and cricket,[22] for instance. A recent study[23] reported a 13-year longitudinal analysis of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Elite Clubs. Results show that, since 2001, hamstring injuries increased by approximately 4% annually in training while remain roughly constant in matches. A possible explanation for it is that during training sessions higher intensity exercises with and without ball are performed to reproduce the match intensity model. In other words, the intensity of the training session is becoming very similar to the intensity of the match. This of course causes an increased risk of hamstring injuries. Conversely, the hamstring injury recorded during matches, since 2001, remained almost constant. This might depend on the high intensity of the training sessions that make the players better prepared to cope with the match intensity.

Although in the last years, there has been much more attention in implementing hamstring prevention programs, its important underline that hamstring injuries are still increasing. This is not surprising if we consider the fact that the increase in hamstring prevention programs is probably counteracted by an increasing, over the last years, of the intensity both of trainings and matches.[23] About this topic, Barnes et al[24] showed that in the English Premier League from 2006 to 2013 seasons over the years there was a 30 and 35% increase respectively in high-intensity running distance and number of sprints during the matches.

The common denominator of hamstring injury risk in these sport activities could be the high running speed required during the game[4] [12] [19] [25] [26] [27] [28] and the sudden stops, restarts/reaccelerations, and/or sudden changes of direction.[1] [29] Furthermore, the percentage of reinjuries is high ranging from 12 to 63%[4] [19] [30] with a peak of incidence during the first 3 weeks after return to play (RTP).[10]

For all these reasons, hamstring injuries can often be impacting or even dramatic for the players' career.

Injury Mechanisms

Hamstring injuries occur in sport activities requiring sprinting, cutting movements, acceleration efforts,[1] [10] [31] [32] [33] [34] and extreme stretch movements.[35] However, within the hamstring muscular complex it is important to split the injury mechanisms into biceps femoris (BF), semimembranosus (SM), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles lesions. The hamstring muscular complex during the running biomechanics is active from the beginning of the mid-swing phase until the terminal stance phase.[1] [36] [37] During this period of time, the BF is the muscle that undergoes the most elongation, equal to approximately 12% of its rest length.[34] [38] [39] [40] [41] In the same phase, the SM is the flexor muscle producing the most important strength peak and absorbing the most important parts of the power production.[34] [38] [39] [40] [41] For these reasons, the BF and SM injuries are substantially different.[35] [42] [43] In other words, the BF injury mechanism is mainly based on an overstretching event, while the SM injuries are mainly based on a strength/power overproduction.[35] [42] [43]

Biomechanics of ST is more complex. Both ST and BF show the maximal eccentric activation throughout the swing phase of running (i.e., from middle swing to initial stance phase).[41] [44] [45] Furthermore, a recent study showed that ST has the highest strength production activity as it is recruited more than both the BF and the SM in strength exercises.[46] Despite this, the ST is the muscle of hamstring complex that presents the lower injury incidence, equaling 5 to 6%.[47] [48] [49] This low injury incidence may be explained by its important tendinous component playing a protective role against indirect injuries.[42] [43] [47] [50] [51]

Risk Factors

According to Brukner et al,[52] we will subdivide the hamstring injury risk factors into “primary injury risk factors” (i.e., the risk factors mainly causing a first lesion) and “recurrent injury risk factors” (i.e., the risk that can cause a reinjury). In addition to these two categories, we will describe some injury risk factors playing a role both as “primary injury risk factors” and “recurrent injury risk factors.” We have listed these latter into the category called “bivalent injury risk factors.”

The primary injury risk may be divided into nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors.

Nonmodifiable Primary Injury Risk Factors

Age

One of the most important nonmodifiable risk factors is represented by the chronological age.[4] [53] [54] [55] Several authors showed that increasing age is one of the most important risk factors especially when coupled with previous injuries.[4] [27] [52] [53] [54] [56] [57]

Verrall et al[53] showed that, starting from around 20 years of age, the likelihood of a hamstring injury increases by 1.3 times every year, independently of a past history of hamstring injuries. Hägglund et al[57] showed that the association between increased age and previous hamstring injuries represents a significant hamstring risk factor in a multivariate model analysis.

Previous Injuries (Nonhamstring Related)

Previous injuries not involving the hamstring may be a risk factor for primary hamstring injury. Major knee injuries, like ipsilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (independently from the type of graft used)[47] [53] [58] [59] or a previous history of osteitis pubis,[53] may increase the risk of hamstring strains independently from previous posterior thigh injuries.

Ethnicity

Woods et al[4] showed that professional black soccer players had higher risk for primary hamstring injuries than white players. These results are in line with results collected by Verrall et al[53] showing that Australian Rules football players with aboriginal origins had higher primary hamstring injury risks compared with the others. Woods et al[4] explained this ethnicity risk factor subjects with a black ethnic origin having an increased anterior pelvis tilt which overstretches the hamstring complex and exposes the subjects to a higher injury risk. This theory is in line with other more recent studies.[8] [9] Concerning the increased injury risk for aboriginal descent players, other authors[53] proposed that they may have proportionately more hamstring type-II muscle fibers and for this reason have a higher primary risk for hamstring injuries.[60] [61] This theory was later confirmed by other studies.[55]

Competition Level

A higher competition level represents a risk factor for primary hamstring Injury.[4] [53] This relationship between competition level and hamstring injuries may reflect the increased physical demand and the related powerful play actions existing in higher level leagues. Furthermore, we must consider that a high competition level leads to a higher match exposure time causing a decrease in the training exposure/match exposure relationship and resulting in a higher injury risk for the athletes.[8] [9]

Latest Periods of Soccer Matches

Some studies showed an increased hamstring injury risk (particularly primary injuries) at the end of each half of the match.[1] [3] [4] [8] [9] [62] Other studies reported that the peak of soccer injuries (including the primary hamstring injuries) occur during the second half of the match.[1] [63] [64] A possible reason for that is the hamstring eccentric strength decrease as a function of time after the halftime of the match.[62] This eccentric strength loss would determine a higher injury risk especially during explosive movements, in accordance with epidemiologic observations.[62] However, it should be underlined that in the literature some similar studies did not confirm these results.[54] [56] [65]

Modifiable Primary Injury Risk Factors

Hamstring Muscle Strength Imbalance Profile

An unbalanced ratio between hamstring concentric strength and quadriceps concentric strength (hamstring con/Q con) measured at low (60°/s) or fast (240°/s) angular speed is classically considered an hamstring injury risk factor. This hypothesis means that an insufficient strength of the hamstring complex is not able to effectively counteract both the action of hip flexion performed by the quadriceps and the subsequent swing phase during the sprint biomechanics.[66] [67] [68] [69] In literature, an appropriate hamstring con/Q con ratio measured at low (60°/s) or fast (240°/s) angular speeds is comprised between 0.48 and 0.65.[67] [68] [69] [70] Aagaard et al[71] proposed a 1:1 ratio based on hamstring eccentric strength/quadriceps concentric strength (hamstring ecc/Q con) as a correct ratio value. This hamstring ecc/Q con ratio seems to our opinion more interesting than the classical hamstring con/Q con for two specific reasons: (1) this ratio shows better functional capacity of the hamstring providing knee-joint stability since the latter is mainly due to the hamstring eccentric strength[59]; (2) hamstring ecc/Q con ratio take into account the fact that during the movement in which the hamstring injury risk is increased, the hamstring activation is of eccentric type[34] [38] [39] [40] [41] and it is therefore more specific than the classic hamstring con/Q con ratio.

Recurrent Injury Risk Factors

The recurrent injury risk factors (or reinjury risk factors) may as well be divided into nonmodifiable risk factors and modifiable risk factors.

Nonmodifiable Recurrent Injury Risk Factors

History of Hamstring Injury

A history of previous hamstring injuries is considered the most important risk factor for hamstring reinjuries.[27] [47] [53] [54] [56] [72] [73] [74] [75] [76] [77] [78] [79] [80] [81] [82] An interesting study[79] showed that players previously affected by a soccer injury doubled the risk of having a second injury; furthermore, the risk of reinjury decreased in relation to the time spent from the last injury occurred. Another study[75] pointed out that a player with a soccer injury in the previous season had an injury risk three times greater, during the successive season, than the players not injured in the previous season. Finally, it is important to underline that a muscle reinjury causes a longer “injury time loss” than the first injury event.[8] [9] [28]

Size of Injury

A larger size of hamstring injury measured through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)[47] [83] was indicative of a higher recurrent injury risk.[83] Therefore, the strain length measured by MRI may identify which athletes are more likely to suffer further reinjury.[47] However, other studies challenged this result.[84] Therefore, there is a need of further studies with more evidences.

Modifiable Recurrent Injury Risk Factors

Inadequate Rehabilitation Programs

It has been suggested that a premature RTP,[4] [14] [70] [85] [86] [87] an inappropriate and/or insufficient rehabilitation program,[4] [70] [73] [85] [88] or an association of these two factors may be responsible for hamstring reinjury.

Change in Optimal Muscle Length

A difference in the length–tension relationship, measured by isokinetic test, may be a risk factor for reinjuries.[89] Indeed, after the first injury, the presence of excessive scar tissue can reduce the optimal muscle length predisposing it to reinjury.[90] [91]

Bivalent Injury Risk Factors

The bivalent injury risk factors are essentially modifiable risk factors.

The Hamstring Weakness

Inadequate hamstring strength and/or endurance measured by isokinetic test is indicated by some authors as a risk factor for hamstring indirect primary injuries and/or reinjuries.[85] [92] [93] [94] However, some studies show conflicting results.[95] This difference can be explained by several reasons: (1) The difference in isokinetic protocols used at different executive speed generally comprised between 30 and 300°/second.[96] [97] Such a wide difference in the study protocols makes the results difficult to compare. (2) Strength is not the only parameter to be considered concerning muscle functionality. Indeed, a muscle after injury may also have recovered good dynamometric strength values but it may still have some flexibility deficit and/or to present excessive fibrotic areas that put it still at risk of reinjury. (3) The torque strength values do not represent accurately the muscle behavior in extreme dynamic situation as in the case of sporting gestures.[98] [99]

Loss of Extensibility

Several authors indicated an extensibility loss as a risk factor for hamstring indirect injuries.[85] [92] [93] [94] [100] However, in literature some studies do not confirm these data.[54] [56] [101] [102]

An interesting study[103] showed that soccer teams using stretching regularly in their training routine have a less hamstring injuries incidence. These data confirm, even though indirectly, the important role of flexibility in hamstring injuries prevention. Indeed, stretching and/or eccentric exercises may induce an augmentation of the optimal muscle length to which the muscle can perform the different level of strength required during physical activity.[104] This increased optimal length may result in improving the muscle structural stability. This is especially valid at longer muscle length, making protective factor for muscle injuries that can occur during the eccentric lengthening to which the muscle is subjected during sport activity.[105] It is interesting to note that hamstring flexibility shows an U-inversed shaped relationship with the injuries incidence.[106] In other words, the incidence of hamstring injuries is recorded at both the two extremes of flexibility (i.e., the subjects too rigid and overly flexible). Therefore, being too flexible, in part for some sports activities such as gymnastics or dance in which it is required a maximum range of motion, could increase the injury risk. It is therefore reasonable to assume that there is an optimal degree of flexibility below and above which the risk factor is increased.

Pelvic Muscles Coordination

Core stability and strength training of the pelvic muscles have been popular in recent years, providing benefits for reducing the hamstring injury risk.[107] [108] [109] Consequently, a loss of core stability due to a weakness of pelvic muscles would be an injury risk factor both for primary hamstring injuries and reinjuries.[107] [108] [109] Indeed, the pelvic movements change the relative length and consequently the stiffness of hamstring complex, for this reason an insufficient strength of pelvic muscles and/ or their incorrect intervention time may represent a risk factor.[51]

Training Mistakes and Inadequate Warm-Up

Several studies showed that mistakes in training plans[98] [99] [101] [102] [110] and insufficient warm-up[100] [111] [112] [113] [114] are risk factors for hamstring injuries. However, errors in training plans are so different and heterogeneous to be classified. Instead, concerning the role of warm-up in hamstring injuries prevention, a reasonable explanation is that adequate warm-up is able to reduce muscle viscosity and to induce a neural relaxation of the muscle.[98] [99] [110] [111] [112] [113] [114]

Fatigue

The fatigue, either immediate (i.e., during a match) or in long term (i.e., accumulated in more competitions), may represent a risk factor. The fatigue effect can interfere negatively with technical and coordination skills, as well as with the decision-making process involving the opponent and the ball, thus causing an imperfect actions' timing potentially dangerous. As previously mentioned, the injury risk in the fatigued player, during explosive movements such as sprinting or cutting, is proportional/dependent upon the increased fatigue effect.[62] [115] Concerning the so-called “long-term fatigue effect” in literature, there are some studies showing that the congested fixture periods, with a match every 3 days, and the consequently a high “match time exposure,” determine a great increase of injuries risk.[116] Consequently, whenever possible, an appropriate players' turnover could lower the injury rate.[116] A further demonstration of these data comes from the study of Bengtsson et al[117] conducted in 27 soccer professional clubs over 11 seasons. In this study, the global number of soccer injuries, and especially muscle indirect injuries, regularly increased when the recovery time between two matches was less than 4 days compared with 6 days or more. The onset of fatigue may be delayed by specific training.[118] [119] However, an improvement in the fatigue threshold induces the athlete to be able to reach a higher intensity of effort.[120] [121]

The Rationale of Prevention Programs

Prevention programs are possible when a risk management plan is implemented at the club, consisting primarily on an injury surveillance program, a subsequent objective evaluation and thereafter actions to correct the eventual observed issues.[122]

Hamstring injury prevention programs are based on stretching,[103] [123] [124] [125] [126] [127] strengthening (especially concerning the eccentric force),[55] [82] [128] [129] [130] [131] [132] hamstring/Q ratio rebalancing,[67] hamstring bilateral ratio rebalancing,[67] [133] and multi-intervention programs (i.e., prevention programs based on strengthening, stretching, elasticity, core stability, proprioception, and neuromuscular exercises).[125] [134] [135]

Concerning the hamstring injury prevention programs based on stretching the results are conflicting. It is interesting to note that randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed that stretching does not reduce the incidence of hamstring injuries while non-RCTs showed a reduction in injuries after stretching. This suggests an important Coleman effect[136] that makes difficult to draw robust conclusions. Furthermore, the study protocols are very different both regarding intervention duration and follow-up. More evidence-based studies are therefore needed to assess the effectiveness of the prevention program based on stretching to reduce hamstring injuries.

On the contrary, the programs based on strengthening,[27] [82] [128] [129] [130] [131] [132] hamstring/Q rebalancing,[67] hamstring bilateral ratio rebalancing,[67] [133] and multi-intervention programs[125] [134] [135] have demonstrated their effectiveness in decreasing hamstring injuries. Furthermore, it is important to mention the importance of core stability training in hamstring injury prevention programs.[107] [108] [109]

Paradoxically, despite these data, the epidemiological studies focusing on hamstring injuries and reinjuries demonstrate that these latter show no decline with time.[8] [9] [137] A more recent study showed that in the UEFA Champions League, the hamstring injury rate increased 4% per year.[23] This incongruence may be explained by the possible inadequacy of rehabilitation programs and poorly defined criteria concerning RTP.[81] [138] [Table 2] reports a summary of methodologies proposed for hamstring prevention found in current literature.

Table 1 NHE training schedule proposed by Mjølsnes et al[168]

Week	Weekly sessions	Sets	Reps	Load
1	1	2	5	The load increase is allowed only when the athlete is able to easily control the eccentric phase. When the athlete reaches 12 repetitions the load can be increased through:(1) an increase of the initial speed, (2) with a push at the shoulder level carried by the partner
2	2	2	6
3	3	3	6–8
4	3	3	8–10
5–10	3	3	12–10–8

Abbreviation: NHE, Nordic hamstring exercise.

Table 2 Summary of methodologies proposed for hamstring prevention

Methodology	Effect	Scientific rationale of use	Notes
Stretching[103] [123] [124] [125]	Conflicting	Improve the absorption of elongation forces by the muscle-tendon unit	In any case its inclusion in a multi-intervention program is recommended[125] [134] [135]
Nordic hamstring exercise[79] [129] [139] [140] [143] [147]	Good	To improve hamstring eccentric strength	To integrate with biarticular hamstring exercises[146]
Specific anaerobic-lactacid training[125]	Sufficient	To reproduce in controlled situations the mechanical and metabolic conditions predisposing to injuries	To be used only in subjects with a good specific training[125]
Specific technical training[125]	Insufficient /needs further investigations	To reproduce in a controlled situation the biomechanical conditions predisposing to injuries	May unnecessarily increase the injury risk without getting any benefit in terms of prevention
EFCEP[34] [38]	Needs further investigations	To change the force-lengthening relationship through an optimal length	This method may be of particular interest for BF injuries prevention
Isokinetic training[67] [73] [91] [151] [155]	Good	Improving hamstring strength	For its excellent reproducibility it is also a reliable reference test[91] [151]
Isoinertial training[158] [159] [160] [161] [162]	Good	Improving hamstring strength	It may cause an important delayed muscular soreness and therefore important loss of compliance for this type of training[140] [144]
Endurance training[125]	Good	To maintain a good fitness level	It represents an important strategy for primary, and secondary hamstring prevention

Abbreviations: BF, biceps femoris; EFCEP, eccentric faster contraction in elongated position.

Note: Column 2 indicates the evidence level found in the literature, while column 3 indicates notes regarding their practical application.

Primary and Secondary Prevention Programs

Primary prevention (PP) is a preventive strategy adopted to prevent a first muscle injury to occur, while the secondary prevention (SP) is a prevention strategy performed after one or more lesions to the same muscle group, to avoid recurrences. It is important to distinguish between PP and SP. Indeed, a PP program must follow general key points for any considered muscle/muscle group, while a SP program needs to take into account the number, the anatomical location, and severity of previous injuries and needs to be structured accordingly. In other words, SP must be much more personalized and specific than the PP.[135]

The Australian Football League Experience

An eloquent demonstration of effectiveness of hamstring prevention programs comes from the “Australian Football League” in which, thanks to the adoption of a specific prevention strategy, the incidence of hamstring reinjury in the period between 1997 and 2004 was reduced by 22 to 37%.[11]

Important in this regard is a prospective study of Verrall et al[125] performed in a group of 70 Australian football players, in which the authors emphasize four interesting points related to the PP and SP of hamstring injuries.

A preseason period, comprised between 16 and 20 weeks, during which there was an emphasis on the aerobic conditioning training through running sessions between 3 and 5 km (the authors, however, do not specify their weekly frequency), represents a training method or better a prerequisite essential to maintain a satisfactory fitness level. The authors considered this preseason strategy important for both primary and secondary hamstring prevention.[125]

In their preventive strategy design, Verrall et al[125] focused the training sessions on anaerobic-lactic interval training (i.e., shuttle-run over a distance of 20 m). The rationale for this type of work depends on the highest percentage of hamstring injuries recorded in Australian football injuries during the acceleration phase of a sprint to reach the ball, when bending the torso forward is strongly accentuated to grab the ball during a high-speed running.

The authors[125] introduced in their preventive planning a specific type of technical training based on changes of direction with the trunk bent for ball control. These exercises also included interaction with an opponent from behind, in attempt to steal the ball to the athlete performing the specific exercise. These exercises were performed twice a week for a duration of approximately 5 minutes. Also, in this case the rational of application was to create a biomechanical adaptation for such specific risk situations. In this preventive program, the athletes were constantly and systematically encouraged to perform passive stretching exercises of the hamstring at several joint degrees for at least 15 seconds. The interesting detail is represented by the fact that the players were asked for such stretching exercises especially reaching a certain degree of muscle fatigue.

The rationale for these stretching exercises is that in literature there exist some experiments performed on animal model[115] [139] showing how a fatigued muscle, being less able to absorb a high rate of energy during its eccentric phase, would be more exposed to a lesion compared with a not fatigued muscle. Therefore, stretching in muscular fatigue conditions would permit a substantial recovery improvement to support an eccentric load in a biologically critical situation potentially predisposing to injury.

The combination of these four main points and their systematic performance throughout the whole season significantly reduced hamstring injuries (1.3 hamstring injuries/1,000 hours of match exposure vs. 4.7 hamstring injuries/1,000 hours of match exposure in the previous season and 0.7 hamstring injuries/1,000 hours of training exposure vs. 1.7 hamstring injuries/1,000 hours of match exposure recorded during the previous season, p < 0.045). The study of Verrall et al,[125] besides being undoubtedly original, also shows a further interest choosing the preventive strategies that were not medicine evidence based, but logically and suitable to be pursued. The limit of this study was that in soccer rather than Australian football, this long preseason period is not possible. The authors emphasize their concept of prevention supporting their approach with a very significant phrase: “We attempt to change the specificity of the training to training as the game is played.” This means that an optimal preventive model must try to follow, or at least to adapt as much as possible, the specific performance model. Another basic concept expressed by the authors is to avoid believing that a preventive work plan can be based on a single type of exercise, rather than considering prevention as a complex and multifactorial process based on the idea just exposed: “to train as the game is played.”

The Nordic Hamstring Exercise

Concerning the exercises to be included in an effectiveness prevention program, it is undoubtedly worth mentioning the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE), which is the only exercise showing a good validation.[79] [140] [141] [142] [143] A regular practice of NHE results in an increase of the eccentric strength of hamstring,[143] its execution requires no special equipment and, therefore, it can be easily included into the normal routine exercises on the field ([Table 1]). However, it is important to remember that soccer players in particular (but also athletes in general) have a poor compliance for a regular training plan of preventive exercises, and for that the exercises should always be performed under the supervision of a qualified trainer.[144] Furthermore, an interesting aspect of the NHE is that it represents also an excellent test to subdivide the subjects into two different categories according to the hamstring eccentric force. The discriminating factor is to be able or not to reach and maintain a proper execution just to a 30-degree angle joint measured at the knee joint level. Therefore, the two categories are: In the first category, we will insert the subjects defined as “having a good hamstring functionality” and able to reach a knee joint angle equal to 30 degrees, simultaneously maintaining a correct exercise execution.[79] In the second category, we will include all the subjects defined as “not having a good hamstring functionality” and unable to maintain a correct execution of the exercise until the achievement of 30-degree knee joint angle.[79]

In a RCT,[129] the introduction of the NHE in a 10-week duration prevention program reduced the incidence of hamstring injuries as much as 70%, which resulted in line with a previous study of Arnason et al.[145] More recently, Petersen et al[129] and van der Horst et al[142] showed that NHE significantly decreased hamstring injuries in Danish elite, subelite, and amateur players and in Dutch amateur players, respectively.

The interest of the NHE lies mainly in the fact that during its execution it is possible to get a high hamstring activation, rather than during the execution of other more common exercises focused on the thigh flexor muscles.[146] The peak of activation, measured by electromyogram (EMG), is recorded in the final part of the movement (i.e., in almost extended knees). This data emphasizes the importance of carrying out the NHE through complete range of motion (ROM).[105]

In a study conducted over 24 soccer teams for a total of over 650 professional players and during a period of 4 years, Arnason et al[145] showed that in teams where NHE was coupled with a stretching program the hamstring injuries decreased by approximately 65%. These data underline the importance of adopting multicomponent prevention programs (i.e., based on multiple complementary prevention exercises) as already suggested by Owen et al.[147] Indeed, one of the NHE limit is represented by its monoarticular execution (i.e., involving only the knee joint, and the subjects do not perform a hip flexion) while the hamstring biomechanical injury risk occurs during a simultaneous extension of hip and knee joint.[34] [38] [39] [40] [41] For this reason, it is necessary to combine the NHE to other exercises to correct this deficiency.[147]

Moreover, it is interesting to note that during NHE the EMG shows both the dominant and the nondominant limbs equally involved. Moreover, NHE, if performed in a systematic way, can increase the hamstring eccentric peak force by a percentage exciding 20%.[105] Regarding the frequency with which the NHE should be proposed, some authors recommend its execution for three sessions per week.[148] The NHE can be made progressively more challenging adopting a slight overload, such as a ballasted jacket, or an external push made by the mate. The difficulty increase is recommended when the athlete is able to perform 12 repetitions at full ROM while maintaining a correct execution.

Beyond the obvious benefits that can be drawn from a systematic practice of NHE, it is also important to underline some limits. In NHE the hamstring complex is stressed in monoarticular modality, while during most injuries movements the hamstring complex is stressed in a biarticular way involving both knee and hip joints. During NHE, as described in the literature, the hip joint is not involved as movement is exclusively performed at the knee joint level. These biomechanical limits strongly suggest the use of the NHE as part of a broader rehabilitation program which also incorporates hamstring biarticular exercises,[146] or the possibility to modify the NHE to incorporate hip joint movements. Unfortunately, to date the implementation of NHE into the injury prevention program of professional soccer in Europe is, to our knowledge, too low to reasonably expect a positive effect on hamstring injuries.[149]

BF, SM, and ST: Do Different Biomechanical Tasks Require Different Prevention and Rehabilitation Programs?

As already discussed, the injury mechanisms determining the BF and SM lesions are substantially different. For BF, the most important injury risk is the excessive elongation,[34] [38] [39] [40] [41] while for SM it seems more to be the excessive strength production.[35] [42] [43] These etiological differences would justify a difference concerning both the rehabilitation and prevention programs. Therefore, the prevention (and rehabilitation) programs for BF should be focused on stretching conditioning (i.e., with exercises during which the muscle produces eccentric force in stretching condition), while the SM prevention (and rehabilitation) programs should be focused on strengthening.

Askling et al[150] showed the superiority of a rehabilitation program for BF based on stretching conditioning compared with a classical rehabilitation program. Concerning the prevention programs, systematically performing exercises in elongation conditions may be able to change the muscle's optimal length increasing this latter, thereby preventing possible injuries.[151] Therefore, this type of exercise called “eccentric faster contraction in elongated position (EFCEP)” (i.e., eccentric strengthening exercises in situations of muscle lengthening) may represent an interesting prevention strategy for BF.[34] [38]

Concerning ST, since its biomechanical role is double—that is, as the BF shows an important eccentric activation into the middle swing to initial stance phase[41] [44] [45] and it plays an important role in strength production[46]—the specific prevention program may be based on both these two aspects (i.e., eccentric strengthening exercises in situations of muscle lengthening and concentric strengthening).

The Isokinetic Training and Testing

In literature, we can generally find three different velocities at which the hamstring peak torque has been assessed: 60, 180. and 300°/s.[152] Some studies highly recommend to consider the peak torque recorded at 300°/s since this value is closer as to the angular velocities developed during sport activities.[73] Nevertheless, it is important to note that many sport movements are performed at much higher speeds. Indeed, the soccer kick is performed at angular speeds clearly above 1,200°/s at the knee joint level.[61] [153] [154] In any case, the proposed protocols lack a correct validation.[73] [155] However, the isokinetic training in eccentric modality showed a good efficacy concerning both hamstring prevention and rehabilitation.[67] [91] [156] Furthermore, its high reproducibility represents an optimal method to assess the hamstring strength value and the hamstring/Q ratio.[91] [152]

Isoinertial Training

Recently, some devices based on the so-called “isoinertial technology” (IT) appeared. Interest for this particular training dates back to the late 1980s of last century, a period in which IT was brought to the field as a training method for muscular conditioning of astronauts engaged in long space travels. The IT devices used a specific flywheel that allows muscular training even in the absence of gravity.[157] [158] The most important difference between the IT and the classical isotonic technology (CIT) is that in CIT the external resistance is constant and is represented by the load, while in the IT the external resistance depends on the acceleration produced by the subject on the flywheel and is therefore variable. Some studies reported the validity of IT concerning the hamstring prevention programs.[159] [160] [161] [162] [163] However, it is important to underline that other studies[141] [145] showed that the important delayed muscle soreness caused by IT can produce an important loss of compliance for this type of training.

Future Directions

Given the importance of the hamstring strengthening, especially concerning eccentric strength, in hamstring injuries prevention research it is paramount to determine accurately the frequency, the intensity, and the total load of the prevention plans in relationship with the total technical training amount, to avoid overloads.

The exercises proposed both in PP and SP plans must try to adapt as much as possible to the specific performance model in respect to the concept: “to train as the game is played,” with all the caution to be kept when strictly applying this concept to the whole training program.

The efficacy of muscle injuries prevention program is strongly linked to the consciousness of the coaches regarding this topic. Indeed, coach and coaching staff decide the content of the training sessions with the related training load and too often they are not available to devote a part of training to injuries prevention programs.[164] [165] This represents an important point to improve to fill the gap existing between research and field practice.[166]

Another factor to consider regarding the efficacy of injuries prevention programs is the stability of both medical and coaching staffs.[167] In soccer, it is quite rare to obtain a coaching staff stability but, on the contrary, it is possible and most likely to create into the club a continuity concerning the medical staff. This might guarantee efficiency of injuries prevention programs.

Both the PP and SP plans must be designed with respect to the different biomechanical behavior of the three different muscles composing the hamstring muscular complex.

Some aspects like EFCEP methodology, the efficacy of stretching exercises, and the specific technical training methodology need further investigations.

Conclusion

In general, to design a prevention protocol it is necessary to follow basic anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological key points. This is particularly important for a hamstring injury prevention protocol. Indeed, the hamstring complex biomechanical function shall consider the different biomechanical behaviors of BF, SM, and ST. Another key point is the movement biomechanics of the situations that threaten hamstring integrity. Only by respecting the principle of the “specificity” it will be possible to optimize the prevention programs' outcome.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

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Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 04. November 2017

Angenommen: 13. April 2020

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
25. Mai 2020