Strength-Endurance Training Reduces the Hamstrings Strength Decline Following Simulated Football Competition in Female Players

Abstract

Hamstring strains are the most common injury in multiple sprint sports, with inadequate eccentric hamstring strength and fatigue identified as important risk factors. Resistance training interventions aimed at reducing injury risk typically focus on the development of maximum strength, while little is known about the impact of training on hamstring fatigue resistance. The present study compared the effects of strength endurance (SE) with a strength intervention (S) on the eccentric hamstring strength decline induced by a simulated soccer match. Twenty-one female soccer players were randomly assigned to a S group (n = 10) or a SE group (n = 11). Hamstrings and quadriceps isokinetic concentric and eccentric peak torque (PT) were assessed at 120°.s-1 and hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio (HEcc:QCon) calculated, pre- and immediately post a 90-min simulated match (BEAST90). This was repeated following a 7-week intervention of either three to five sets of 6RM leg curl and stiff-leg deadlift with 3-min inter-set rest (S), or the same exercises performed using three sets of 12–20 RM with 45–90 s inter-set rest (SE). At baseline, the simulated match led to significant declines in hamstrings eccentric peak torque (EccPT) in both groups in both dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) legs [SE: (D: -15.5, ND: -15.6%), P = 0.001 to 0.016; S: (D: -12.3%, ND: -15.5%), P = 0.001 to 0.018]. After the 7-week intervention, we observed a group∗intervention∗match interaction such that there was no significant decline in EccPT in the SE group following the simulated match (D: 5.3%, ND: 2.0%), but there remained significant declines in the S group (D: -14.2%, ND: -15.5%, P = 0.018–0.001). Similarly, in the SE group, there was a significant decrease in the HEcc:QCon in D before (-14.2%, P = 0.007), but not after the training intervention, whereas declines were observed in the S group both at baseline, and following the intervention (D: -13.9%, ND: -15.6%, P = 0.045). These results demonstrate that SE training can reduce the magnitude of the EccPT decline observed during soccer competition. As inadequate eccentric strength and fatigue are both risk factors for hamstring injury, SE training should be considered along with the development of peak eccentric strength, as a component of programs aimed at reducing injury risk in multiple-sprint sports.

Improved maximal strength is not associated with improvements in sprint time or jump height in high-level female football players: a cluster-randomized controlled trial

“…Previous studies applying ST in female football players have assessed strength outcomes in isometric [35] or isokinetic exercises [36, 37], making comparisons with the present study unattainable as we measured dynamic squat strength [38]. Elite male football players experienced a 52% increase in absolute 1RM following 16 sessions of MST over 8 weeks [23].…”

A comparison of the isometric force fatigue-recovery profile in two posterior chain lower limb tests following simulated soccer competition

“…While, interactions between player fitness or neuromuscular characteristics and fatigue-recovery kinetics in the posterior chain test have not been reported, Delextrat et al [31] reported that increased hamstrings strength-endurance reduced the magnitude of acute eccentric hamstring fatigue following a simulated match, but it is not known if this characteristic would also mediate the magnitude of residual fatigue. Further investigation of the interaction between fatigue response to/recovery from competition, and aspects of hamstrings neuromuscular performance—including strength, rate of force development or strength-endurance, and other potential mediators such as fascicle length [32] is warranted.…”

Isometric Posterior Chain Peak Force Recovery Response Following Match-Play in Elite Youth Soccer Players: Associations with Relative Posterior Chain Strength

“…This greater susceptibility to fatigue in the hamstrings muscle group may mean that other physical qualities, such as repeated sprint ability, aerobic capacity, or posterior chain local strength-endurance, are more important in determining fatigue-recovery profile in this muscle group. This may also suggest that in players with the highest HSR and match demands, overall aerobic and buffering capacity [43,44] and metabolic adaptations in the relevant muscle fibres may not only confer greater fatigue resistance during competition [45] but may also influence residual neuromuscular deficit/enhance recovery.…”