Neuromuscular changes in football players with previous hamstring injury

Impact of prior injury on myoelectrical activity of the hamstrings during isokinetic eccentric contractions has received increased literature attention. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess neuromuscular adaptations, namely proprioception, core stability, muscle strength, extensibility and activity, in football players with history of hamstring strain injury.

Seventeen players, 10 with history of hamstring injury and 7 without prior injury underwent isokinetic strength testing, eccentric knee extension at 30 and 120°/s. Myoelectrical activity of bicep femoris and medial hamstrings was calculated at 30, 50 and 100 ms after onset of contraction. Functional tests included core stability, muscle strength, and knee proprioception tests.

Differences were observed between Hamstring Group injured and uninjured and Control Group dominant limbs in the bicep femoris activity at almost all times in both velocities (p < 0.05). Joint position sense error was higher in the injured side compared to uninjured and control dominant limb; additionally there were also differences between injured and uninjured limb in the triple-hop test.

Previously injured side showed deficits in bicep femoris myoelectrical activity after onset of contraction during eccentric testing, proprioceptive deficits, and functional asymmetry.