Improvements in Match-Related Physical Performance of Professional Soccer Players After the Application of an on-Field Training Program for Hamstring Injury Rehabilitation

Context: Although there are multiple, validated return-to-play programs following hamstring strain injuries, no studies have evaluated their changes in match performance parameters. Objectives: The aim of this study was twofold as follows: (1) to determine the changes in match-based physical performance parameters in professional soccer players before and after sustaining a hamstring strain injury and undergoing a soccer-specific rehabilitation program and (2) to observe the progress of these performance parameters 6 to 10 weeks after the player returned from injury. Design: Prospective, quasi-experimental longitudinal study. Setting: Soccer playing and training grounds. Participants: Nineteen players suffering a hamstring strain injury from 2 male professional teams playing in the Spanish professional football league (La Liga) were followed during the 2015–2016, 2016–2017, and 2017–2018 seasons. Intervention: Participation in on-field training program following a hamstring injury. Main Outcome Measures: Match global positioning system data were collected in the following stages: prior to injury (PRE), after return to play (RTP), program, and 6 to 10 weeks following RTP (C2). Peak velocities and distances ran at sprint velocities showed most likely improvements in C2 versus PRE, and very likely improvements in RTP versus PRE. Results: The distances ran at high and very high intensities, the average velocity, and work-to-rest ratio showed very likely improvements in C2 versus RTP and likely improvements in RTP versus PRE. Likely improvements were observed for all variables in C2 versus RTP. The authors’ results showed an improvement of physical performance during competitive match after RTP, compared with PRE. There was a steady progression in the progress, and in 8 months following RTP, there was no injury reported in the players. Conclusions: The current findings may indicate that the hamstring muscle complex not only recovered completely from the injury but could also withstand a greater training and match load reducing the risk of reinjury.

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Validity of an On-Field Readaptation Program Following a Hamstring Injury in Professional Soccer

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.2018-0203 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sergio Jiménez-Rubio ◽

Archit Navandar ◽

Jesús Rivilla-García ◽

Victor Paredes-Hernández

Keyword(s):

Neuromuscular Control ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Return To Play ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Hamstring Injury ◽

Strength And Conditioning ◽

Hamstring Strain ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Hamstring Injuries

Context: Despite the presence of various injury prevention programs, the rate of hamstring injuries and reinjuries is increasing in soccer, warranting the need for a soccer-specific rehabilitation program. Objective: To develop and validate a new, functional on-field program for the rehabilitation and readaptation of soccer players after a hamstring strain injury through a panel of experts; and determine the usefulness of the program through its application in professional soccer players. Design: A 13-item program was developed, which was validated by a panel of experts and later applied to professional soccer players. Setting: Soccer training ground. Participants: Fifteen strength and conditioning and rehabilitation fitness coaches with a professional experience of 15.40 (1.57) years in elite clubs and national teams in Europe validated the program. The program was later applied to 19 professional soccer players of the Spanish First Division (La Liga). Interventions: Once a player sustained a clinically diagnosed injury, the player would first be subject to mobilization and strengthening exercises in the gym after undergoing treatment by percutaneous needle electrolysis. The player would then complete an on-field readaptation program consisting of 13 drills arranged in a progressive manner in terms of complexity. The drills integrated various aspects of repeated sprint abilities, retraining and reeducation of biomechanical patterns, and neuromuscular control of the core and lower limbs. Main Outcome Measures: Aiken’s V for each item of the program and number of days taken by the players to return to play. Results: The experts evaluated all items of the program very highly, as seen from Aiken’s V values between 0.78 and 0.98 (0.63–0.99) for all drills, while the return to play was in 22.42 (2.32) days. Conclusion: This program has the potential to help a player suffering from a hamstring strain injury to adapt to real-match conditions in the readaptation phase through the application of sports-specific drills that were very similar to the different injury mechanisms.

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A Comparison of Pre and Post-Season Proprioception, Functional Endurance, and Coordination Changes of Professional Soccer Players

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967114s00165 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (11_suppl3) ◽

pp. 2325967114S0016

Author(s):

Özge Ece Günaydın ◽

Volga Bayrakçı Tunay ◽

Gül Baltacı

Keyword(s):

Physical Fitness ◽

Training Program ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Statistical Difference ◽

Training Programs ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Physical Injury ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Sedentary Group ◽

The World

Objectives: Soccer is amongst the most popular sports in the world, and also it is one of the sports in which physical injury occurs most. The aim of the present study was to investigate soccer players’ pre- and post-season physical injury-related parameters, to analyze the effectiveness of the training program, and to evaluate changes in their physical performance throughout the season. Methods: In the present study, 16 soccer players (mean age: 18.87±0.61 years) and 16 sedentary individuals (mean age: 20.93±4.48 years) were recruited. In both groups, proprioception, functional endurance, and coordination were assessed. Soccer players were assessed twice: pre- and post-season, while the sedentary group was assessed only once. Results: Pre-season concentric and eccentric coordination levels of the soccer players were found to be higher than those of the sedentary group (p<0.05). In addition, post-season concentric coordination levels of the soccer players were higher than those of the sedentary group (p<0.05). In terms of proprioception levels, no statistical difference was observed between pre- and post-season in the soccer group and between groups (p>0.05). When the pre-season values were compared with the post-season values in the soccer group, while there was a significant decrease in concentric coordination values (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in concentric endurance values (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pre- and post-season detailed evaluations of the soccer players would be beneficial in terms of not only identifying their physical needs and the shortcomings in their physical fitness but also they would be beneficial in designing the training programs.

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Ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle electrolysis and rehabilitation and reconditioning program following a hamstring injury reduces “return to play” time in professional soccer players: A case series

Revista Fisioterapia Invasiva ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1712512 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 03 (01) ◽

pp. 038-044

Author(s):

Sergio Jiménez-Rubio ◽

Fermín Valera-Garrido ◽

Francisco Minaya-Muñoz ◽

Archit Navandar

Keyword(s):

Ultrasound Imaging ◽

High Performance ◽

Treatment Protocol ◽

Case Series ◽

Return To Play ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Hamstring Injury ◽

Semitendinosus Muscle ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Before And After

AbstractThis case series follows the treatment protocol after a grade 2 injury to the proximal semitendinosus muscle using US-guided Percutaneous Needle Electrolysis (PNE) and Rehab & Reconditioning program (RRP) in two professional soccer players. The injury was diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging. The players received one session of PNE 48 hours after the injury. The indoor's phase of the RRP started 24 hours after the PNE technique and then the player proceeded to perform an on-field's phase, following which the players returned to train with the team. The effectiveness of the program was measured by comparing the match-performance data collected through Global Positioning System (GPS) in two matches before and five matches after injury and with ultrasound imaging analyzing the evolution of the muscle injury. No adverse effects were identified during or after the US-Guided PNE technique. Both players missed a single competitive game because of injury (layoff= 16 and 14 days). The GPS variables studied showed similar values before and after injury. PNE and PRR protocol improves the results of the initial phase of muscle repair and reduces the time to return to training and return to play, maintaining the GPS parameters that the players need in high performance.

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Return to Play Following ACL Injury in Professional Soccer Players in The United Kingdom – A Comparison Of Media Prediction, Public Perception and Actual Findings

Arthroscopy The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery ◽

10.1016/j.arthro.2013.07.131 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 29 (10) ◽

pp. e111

Author(s):

Neil Jain ◽

Rukhtam Saqib ◽

Harry Tucker ◽

David Murray ◽

Philip Turner

Keyword(s):

United Kingdom ◽

Public Perception ◽

Acl Injury ◽

Return To Play ◽

Soccer Players ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Professional Soccer

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Isokinetic strength training program for muscular imbalances in professional soccer players

Sport Sciences for Health ◽

10.1007/s11332-008-0047-5 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 101-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

A. Gioftsidou ◽

I. Ispirlidis ◽

G. Pafis ◽

P. Malliou ◽

C. Bikos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Strength Training ◽

Training Program ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Isokinetic Strength ◽

Professional Soccer

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Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Needle Electrolysis and Rehab and Reconditioning Program for Rectus Femoris Muscle Injuries: A Cohort Study with Professional Soccer Players and a 20-Week Follow-Up

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10217912 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (21) ◽

pp. 7912

Author(s):

Fermín Valera-Garrido ◽

Sergio Jiménez-Rubio ◽

Francisco Minaya-Muñoz ◽

José Luis Estévez-Rodríguez ◽

Archit Navandar

Keyword(s):

Ultrasound Image ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Return To Play ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Muscle Injuries ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Before And After ◽

Rectus Femoris Muscle ◽

Femoris Muscle

Rectus femoris muscle strains are one of the most common injuries occurring in sports such as soccer. The purpose of this study was to describe the safety and feasibility of a combination of percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) and a specific rehab and reconditioning program (RRP) following an injury to the rectus femoris in professional soccer players. Thirteen professional soccer players received PNE treatment 48 h after a grade II rectus femoris muscle injury, followed by a the RRP 24 h later. Assessment of recovery from injury was done by registering the days taken to return to train (RTT), return to play (RTP), and structural and functional progress of the injured muscle was registered through ultrasound imaging and match-GPS parameters. Also, adverse events and reinjuries were recorded in the follow up period of twenty weeks. The RTT registered was 15.62 ± 1.80 days and RTP was 20.15 ± 2.79 days. After fourteen days, the ultrasound image showed optimal repair. Match-GPS parameters were similar before and after injury. There were no relapses nor were any serious adverse effects reported during the 20-week follow-up after the RTP. A combination of PNE and a specific RRP facilitated a faster RTP in previously injured professional soccer players enabling them to sustain performance and avoid reinjuries.

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EARLY RETURN TO PLAY AFTER ACL RECONSTRUCTION IN PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYERS

Sports medicine research and practice ◽

10.17238/issn2223-2524.2016.1.67 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 67-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pier Paolo Mariani ◽

Keyword(s):

Acl Reconstruction ◽

Return To Play ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Early Return

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Preventive Effect of Eccentric Training on Acute Hamstring Injuries in Men’s Soccer

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546511419277 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 39 (11) ◽

pp. 2296-2303 ◽

Cited By ~ 268

Author(s):

Jesper Petersen ◽

Kristian Thorborg ◽

Michael Bachmann Nielsen ◽

Esben Budtz-Jørgensen ◽

Per Hölmich

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Hamstring Injury ◽

Control Group ◽

Eccentric Training ◽

Preventive Effect ◽

Injury Rates ◽

Hamstring Injuries ◽

Recurrent Injury

Background: The incidence of acute hamstring injuries is high in several sports, including the different forms of football. Purpose: The authors investigated the preventive effect of eccentric strengthening of the hamstring muscles using the Nordic hamstring exercise compared with no additional hamstring exercise on the rate of acute hamstring injuries in male soccer players. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Fifty Danish male professional and amateur soccer teams (942 players) were allocated to an intervention group (461 players) or a control group (481 players). Players in the intervention group conducted a 10-week progressive eccentric training program followed by a weekly seasonal program, whereas players in the control group followed their usual training program. The main outcome measures were numbers of overall, new, and recurrent acute hamstring injuries during 1 full soccer season. Results: Fifty-two acute hamstring injuries in the control group compared with 15 injuries in the intervention group were registered. Comparing intervention versus the control group, overall acute hamstring injury rates per 100 player seasons were 3.8 versus 13.1 (adjusted rate ratio [RR], 0.293; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.150-0.572; P < .001). New injury rates per 100 player seasons were 3.1 versus 8.1 (RR, 0.410; 95% CI, 0.180-0.933; P = .034), whereas recurrent injury rates per 100 player seasons were 7.1 versus 45.8 (RR, 0.137; 95% CI, 0.037-0.509; P = .003). Number needed to treat [NNT] to prevent 1 acute hamstring injury (new or recurrent) is 13 (95% CI, 9-23) players. The NNT to prevent 1 new injury is 25 (95% CI, 15-72) players, and NNT to prevent 1 recurrent injury is 3 (95% CI, 2-6) players. Conclusion: In male professional and amateur soccer players, additional eccentric hamstring exercise decreased the rate of overall, new, and recurrent acute hamstring injuries.

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