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Int J Sports Med 2017; 38(09): 696-706
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-103016
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Prone Hip Extension Muscle Recruitment is Associated with Hamstring Injury Risk in Amateur Soccer

Joke Schuermans
1   Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
,
Damien Van Tiggelen
1   Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
,
Erik Witvrouw
1   Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 06 December 2016

Publication Date:
13 July 2017 (online)

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Abstract

‘Core stability’ is considered essential in rehabilitation and prevention. Particularly with respect to hamstring injury prevention, assessment and training of lumbo-pelvic control is thought to be key. However, supporting scientific evidence is lacking. To explore the importance of proximal neuromuscular function with regard to hamstring injury susceptibility, this study investigated the association between the Prone Hip Extension (PHE) muscle activation pattern and hamstring injury incidence in amateur soccer players. 60 healthy male soccer players underwent a comprehensive clinical examination, comprising a range of motion assessments and the investigation of the posterior chain muscle activation pattern during PHE. Subsequently, hamstring injury incidence was recorded prospectively throughout a 1.5-season monitoring period. Players who were injured presented a PHE activation pattern that differed significantly from those who did not. Contrary to the controls, hamstring activity onset was significantly delayed (p=0.018), resulting in a shifted activation sequence. Players were 8 times more likely to get injured if the hamstring muscles were activated after the lumbar erector spinae instead of vice versa (p=0.009). Assessment of muscle recruitment during PHE demonstrated to be useful in injury prediction, suggesting that neuromuscular coordination in the posterior chain influences hamstring injury vulnerability.

Key words

hamstring muscle injury - soccer - physical examination - surface electromyography - risk assessment
 

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