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Effects of hamstring‐emphasized neuromuscular training on strength and sprinting mechanics in football players
Author(s) -
Mendiguchia J.,
MartinezRuiz E.,
Morin J.B.,
Samozino P.,
Edouard P.,
Alcaraz P.E.,
EsparzaRos F.,
MendezVillanueva A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12388
Subject(s) - hamstring , sprint , eccentric , concentric , hamstring injury , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , plyometrics , physical therapy , strength training , mathematics , poison control , jump , physics , injury prevention , geometry , environmental health , quantum mechanics
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.