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Hamstring muscle elasticity differs in specialized high‐performance athletes
Author(s) -
Avrillon Simon,
Lacourpaille Lilian,
Hug François,
Le Sant Guillaume,
Frey Alain,
Nordez Antoine,
Guilhem Gaël
Publication year - 2020
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.13564
Subject(s) - hamstring , muscle stiffness , biceps , medicine , basketball , range of motion , shear modulus , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , materials science , stiffness , archaeology , composite material , history
The effect of training on hamstring flexibility has been widely assessed through the measurement of the maximal range of motion or passive torque. However, these global measures do not provide direct information on the passive muscle mechanical properties of individual muscle. This characterization is crucial to better understand the effect of interventions as selective adaptations may occur among synergist muscles. Taking advantage of shear wave elastography, we aimed to determine whether elite sport athletes exhibit different passive shear modulus of hamstring heads compared to controls. Passive shear modulus was measured on semitendinosus (ST), semimembranosus (SM), and biceps femoris (BF) using shear wave elastography with the knee flexed at 60° and 90°, and 90° of hip flexion. A total of 97 elite athletes from various sports including running sprint, figure skating, fencing, field hockey, taekwondo, basketball, and soccer and 12 controls were evaluated. The shear modulus measured at 60° of knee flexion was lower in SM for figure skating ( P < .001; d = 1.8), taekwondo ( P < .001; d = 2.1), fencing ( P = .024; d = 1.0), and soccer ( P = .011; d = 0.9) compared to controls, while no difference was found for athletic sprinters, field hockey, and basketball players. Shear modulus of the BF and ST muscle was not significantly different between controls and elite athletes, regardless of the sport specialization (all P values = 1). We provide evidence that the shear modulus of the SM is altered in athletes involved in elite sport practice performed over large range of motion and/or including substantial stretching program in training content (taekwondo, figure skating, fencing, and soccer).