Does eccentric training of hamstring muscles reduce acute injuries in soccer?

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Hamstring injuries are prevalent in male soccer players, impacting performance and career longevity.
• Previous research indicates eccentric exercises may be beneficial for hamstring injury prevention.
• A standardized 10-week eccentric hamstring exercise program was implemented during the mid-season break for Danish male soccer players.

Discussion:

• The study utilized a cluster-randomized controlled trial design involving 50 teams and 942 players across top Danish soccer divisions.
• The intervention group performed the Nordic hamstring exercise, gradually increasing frequency and intensity over 10 weeks.
• The control group followed their normal training routines without the specific hamstring intervention.

Key Insights:

• The intervention group experienced significantly lower overall hamstring injury rates (3.8 per 100 player sessions) compared to the control group (13.1 per 100 player sessions).
• The eccentric exercise program demonstrated effectiveness in reducing both new (RR 0.410) and recurrent (RR 0.137) hamstring injuries.
• While injury incidence decreased, the mean severity (days lost) was not significantly different between the groups.

Outlook:

• Implementing targeted eccentric hamstring exercise programs can be a valuable strategy for injury prevention in soccer.
• Further research could explore optimal training loads, long-term adherence, and application in different athlete populations.
• This study provides strong evidence for the efficacy of the Nordic hamstring exercise in reducing hamstring injuries in male soccer players.