The DOI matches its Crossref record; 1 of the 1 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
A survey of flexibility training protocols and hamstring strains in professional football clubs in England
Open accessAbstract
Objectives:To investigate the relation between current flexibility training protocols, including stretching, and hamstring strain rates (HSRs) in English professional football clubs. Method:Questionnaire based data on flexibility training methods and HSRs were collected from 30 English professional football clubs in the four divisions during the 1998/99 season. Data were coded and analysed using cross tabulation, correlation, and multiple regression. Results:Flexibility training protocols were characterised by wide variability, with static stretching the most popular stretching technique used. Hamstring strains represented 11% of all injuries and one third of all muscle strains. About 14% of hamstring strains were reinjuries. HSRs were highest in the Premiership (13.3 (9.4)/1000 hours) with the lowest rates in Division 2 (7.8 (2.9)/1000 hours); values are mean (SD). Most (97%) hamstring strains were grade I and II, two thirds of which occurred late during training/matches. Forwards were injured most often. Use of the standard stretching protocol (SSP) was the only factor significantly related to HSR (r = −0.45, p = 0.031) in the correlation analysis, suggesting that the more SSP is used, the lower the HSR. About 80% of HSR variability was accounted for by stretching holding time (SHT), SSP, and stretching technique (STE) in the multiple regression equation: HSR = 37.79 − (0.33SHT − 10.05SSP + 2.24STE) ± 2.34. SHT (negatively correlated with HSR) was the single highest predictor, and accounted for 30% of HSR variability, and an additional 40% in combination with SSP. Conclusions:Flexibility training protocols in the professional clubs were variable and appeared to depend on staffing expertise. Hamstring stretching was the most important training factor associated with HSR. The use of SSP, STE, and SHT are probably involved in a complex synergism which may reduce hamstring strains. Modification of current training patterns, especially stretching protocols, may reduce HSRs in professional footballers.
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Cites
Shrier, I. (1999) · Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine · doi:10.1097/00042752-199910000-00007 · Cited by 211
Cited by
Morse, C. I., Degens, H., Seynnes, O. R., Maganaris, C. N., & Jones, D. A. (2008) · The Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2007.140434 · Cited by 421
Recovery in Soccer: Part II—Recovery Strategies
Nédélec, M., McCall, A., Carling, C., Legall, F., Berthoin, S., & Dupont, G. (2013) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-012-0002-0 · Cited by 328
Effects of Stretching on Injury Risk Reduction and Balance
Behm, D. G., Kay, A. D., Trajano, G. S., Alizadeh, S., & Blazevich, A. J. (2021) · Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology · doi:10.31189/2165-6193-10.3.106 · Cited by 59
Metadata
- Authors
- Dadebo, B., White, J., & George, K. P.
- Venue
- British Journal of Sports Medicine
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2004-07-23
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 388-394
- ISSN
- 0306-3674 (ISSN-L)
- 1473-0480
- OpenAlex
- W2135730152
- Cited by
- 181
- References
- 1
- FWCI
- 5.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
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