Effects of Football Training and Match-Play on Hamstring Muscle Strength and Passive Hip and Ankle Range of Motion during the Competitive Season

Víctor Moreno-Pérez, Gil Rodas, Marcelo Peñaranda-Moraga, Álvaro López-Samanes, Daniel Romero-Rodríguez, Per Aagaard and Juan Del Coso
Additional contact information
Víctor Moreno-Pérez: Sports Research Centre, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
Gil Rodas: Medical Department, Futbol Club Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Marcelo Peñaranda-Moraga: Elche Football Club SAD, 03208 Elche, Spain
Álvaro López-Samanes: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
Daniel Romero-Rodríguez: Sport Performance Area, Futbol Club Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Per Aagaard: Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Research Unit for Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
Juan Del Coso: Centre for Sport Studies, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28943 Fuenlabrada, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: Deficits in hamstring muscle strength and in hip range of motion (ROM) have been considered risk factors for hamstring muscle injuries. However, there is a lack of information on how chronic exposure to regular football training affects hamstring muscle strength and hip ROM. The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal effect of football training and competition during a complete season on hamstring muscle strength and hip ROM in football players. A total of 26 semi-professional football players underwent measurements of isometric hamstring muscle strength and passive hip flexion/extension, and internal/external hip rotation (IR/ER) ROM during the football season (pre-season, mid-season, end-season). Compared to pre-season, hamstring muscle strength increased in the dominant (+11.1%, p = 0.002) and non-dominant (+10.5%, p = 0.014) limbs in the mid-season. Compared to mid-season, hamstring strength decreased in the dominant (−9.3%, p = 0.034) limb at end-season. Compared to the pre-season, hip extension ROM decreased in mid-season in the dominant (−31.7%, p = 0.007) and non-dominant (−44.1%, p = 0.004) limbs, and further decreased at end-season (−49.0%, p = 0.006 and −68.0%, p < 0.001) for the dominant and non-dominant limbs. Interlimb asymmetry for hip IR ROM increased by 57.8% ( p < 0.002) from pre-season to mid-season. In summary, while hamstring muscle strength increased during the first half of the football season in football players, a progressive reduction in hip extension ROM was observed throughout the season. The reduced hip extension ROM suggests a reduced mobility of the hip flexors, e.g., iliopsoas, produced by the continuous practice of football. Consequently, hip-specific stretching and conditioning exercises programs should be implemented during the football season.

Keywords: soccer; muscle injury; fatigue; team sport; flexibility; elite athlete (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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