Characterizing Muscle Activity in Soccer Players with a History of Hamstring Strain Injuries during Accelerated...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Hamstring strain injuries (HSI) are common in male soccer players.
• Understanding muscle activation patterns during sprinting is crucial for injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize and compare muscle activity in male soccer players with and without a history of HSI during accelerated sprinting.
• To identify potential biomechanical differences contributing to HSI risk.

Main Methods:

• Electromyography (EMG) was used to assess the activity of ten muscles in 26 male soccer players (13 with HSI history, 13 healthy).
• Muscle activity was analyzed during a 30-meter maximal sprint, divided into five phases of the running stride.
• Statistical analysis involved repeated-measures two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in gluteus maximus (Gmax), gluteus medius (Gmed), and external oblique (EO) muscle activity were observed between groups.
• The HSI group demonstrated 30% lower Gmax activity, 20% lower EO activity, and 40% higher Gmed activity compared to the healthy group.
• The HSI group exhibited higher injury risk during the early stance phase, contrary to the typical late swing phase risk.

Conclusions:

• Altered trunk and gluteal muscle activation, specifically reduced Gmax and EO activity, in the HSI group may predispose them to injury during the early stance phase of sprinting.
• These findings highlight the importance of targeting gluteal and trunk muscle strengthening for HSI prevention in soccer players.