Hamstring Injury Prevention Program and Recommendation for Stride Frequency during Tow-Training Optimization

Abstract

(1) Background: Although innovations and improvements in towing systems have been available, tow-training method has not been considered favored in the training context. Tow-training may enable high stride frequency if hamstring injuries do not occur. The purpose of this study was to prevent hamstring injuries during supramaximal running and to optimize tow-training. (2) Methods: We investigated the relationship between the number of hamstring injuries that occurred during supramaximal running and the contents of the prevention programs that have been implemented, i.e., 4 years of the baseline programs and 12 years of the intervention. (3) Results: The incidence of hamstring injuries per 1000 sprinters was 57.5 for baseline and 6.7 for intervention. A significant difference was observed in the incidence of hamstring injury between the different combinations of prevention programs (p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: Tow-training was optimized by (1) preventing hamstring injuries by combination of strength, agility, and flexibility training programs and (2) advising the sprinters to press the leg onto the ground as fast as possible to increase stride frequency and to prevent stride lengthening.

Effects of Various Numbers of Runs on the Success of Hamstring Injury Prevention Program in Sprinters

“…The 24 seasons were divided into three periods: Period I covered four seasons (1988–1991), Period II covered eight seasons (1992–1999), and Period III covered 12 seasons (2000–2011). New training methods and new machines were developed and introduced for the Olympic Games of Seoul, Barcelona, and Sydney; as a result, the number of programs increased and prevention programs evolved [ 6 , 7 ]. Data from 2013 have been excluded because the coach stepped down from the sprint team.…”

“…In special training, supramaximal running has been used as an artificial means to pull forward and make athletes sprint for a certain period of time when maintaining a supramaximal speed [ 6 , 7 , 21 ]. Supramaximal running was practiced with assistance in tow training.…”

“…Supramaximal running was practiced with assistance in tow training. Tow training was performed using a towing machine ( Figure 3 ) and a rubber tube [ 6 , 7 , 21 ]. The towing machine allowed sprinters to be towed for more than 100 m. The rubber tube allowed numerous sprinters to be towed for up to 50 m. Two types (50 and 100 m) of supramaximal runs followed by a 20 m approach run with a smooth starting method [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Most researchers on hamstring injury prevention focus on ball sports (e.g., soccer and football) [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ] and less on sprinters [ 6 , 7 ]. These studies show the effectiveness of a combination of eccentric hamstring strength training and intervention to prevent hamstring injury.…”

“…These studies show the effectiveness of a combination of eccentric hamstring strength training and intervention to prevent hamstring injury. According to Sugiura et al [ 6 , 7 ], the number of hamstring injuries in sprinters decreased when agility, eccentric strength, and flexibility trainings were incorporated into the existing prevention concentric strength training programs.…”