Effectiveness of multifactorial hamstring injury risk reduction programme on Hamstring muscle architecture in recreational athletes: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial

The importance of hamstring injuries in sports, especially football, where they make up a significant portion of injuries, is discussed in the literature. Extrinsic (modifiable) and intrinsic (modifiable and non-modifiable) variables can both have an impact on these injuries. Player position and surroundings are examples of extrinsic elements, whereas internal factors include range of motion, sleep patterns, diet, strength, age, gender, and injury history.

Research by Johan Lahti suggests six key elements for an individual and multifactorial protocol targeted at lowering hamstring injuries and enhancing sprint performance in order to address these hazards thoroughly. These elements include posterior chain strength, manual treatment, lumbo-pelvic control, range of motion training, high-speed sprint exposure, and coordinated training. But there are drawbacks to earlier studies, including insufficient data on exercise intensity and reliance on questionable ultrasound measures for muscle architecture.

The major goal of the study is to assess the impact of a multifactorial, Individualised programme on the architecture of the muscles, with particular attention paid to pennation angle, muscle thickness, and fascicle length. Muscle thickness, angle of pennation, cross-sectional area, and fascicle length are all aspects of muscle architecture. Muscle thickness is measured as the perpendicular distance between superficial and deep aponeuroses, angle of pennation is the average angle of fascicles with respect to the aponeuroses, and fascicle length is the span from one end to the other.

The association between fascicle length and hamstring injury risk in professional football players is highlighted by research by Timmins et al. They discovered that shorter fascicles had a greater risk of damage using B-Mode ultrasound. In addition, the incidence of hamstring strain injury fell by 73.9% for every 0.5 cm increase in fascicle length. Later research on the effects of eccentric strength training on muscle architecture has shown a growth in fascicle length.

The research also examines the mechanical profile of a sprint, concentrating on sprint timings and net horizontal force. The 2020 study by Timmins et al. examined how strength training using Nordic hamstring exercises and hip-dominant flywheels affected muscle architecture and the mechanical characteristics of sprints. The study made use of timing gates placed at various distances and obtained the outputs of the net horizontal force velocity using an Excel spreadsheet. Results showed that the FLY participant group produced much more horizontal power and improved sprint timings, especially in the 5m and 10m distances.

The research emphasizes the complexity of hamstring injuries and the demand for a thorough strategy to reduce risks are highlighted in its conclusion. The suggested multifaceted, individualized approach covers range of motion training, posterior chain strength, lumbo-pelvic control, and high-speed sprint exposure. However, prior research relied on estimates to quantify muscle architecture and lacked exact information on exercise intensity. This study’s main goal is to determine how this treatment affects the muscle architecture and mechanical characteristics of sprint.