Utilising Inertial Measurement Units and Force-Velocity Profiling to Explore the Relationship Between Hamstring...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) are common in sprinters.
• Understanding the biomechanical factors contributing to HSIs is crucial for prevention.
• Field-based technology offers a novel approach to studying these factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate associations between running biomechanics and hamstring strain injury (HSI) in amateur sprinters.
• To explore the utility of field-based technology for quantifying sprint mechanics and injury risk.
• To provide preliminary insights for future HSI prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective and prospective cohort study involving 23 amateur sprinters.
• Maximum-effort 40 m sprints were analyzed using force-velocity profiling (0-30m acceleration) and inertial measurement unit (IMU) systems (upright phase kinematics, timing).
• One-year injury surveillance period for HSIs.

Main Results:

• Cross-sectional analysis showed no significant differences between injured and control groups, except for increased anterior pelvic tilt on the injured side.
• Prospective analysis was limited by a small sample size (two HSIs).
• Both injured participants scored in higher percentiles for variables indicating a velocity-oriented running profile.

Conclusions:

• This study demonstrated the feasibility of using novel field-based technology to assess running biomechanics related to HSI.
• Preliminary findings suggest a potential association between a velocity-oriented sprint profile and increased HSI risk.
• Further research with larger cohorts is recommended to confirm these findings and inform HSI prevention strategies.