Abstract
Abstract: Hamstring strain injury (HSI) is a very common lower-body injury in field sports, and
eccentric (ECC) hamstring strength is a potential modifiable risk factor, therefore having reliable
eccentric hamstring strength assessments is critical. The aim of this study was to access test–retest
reliability of the hip extension lower (HEL) exercise as a measure of ECC hamstring strength and interlimb
asymmetries. Twelve male elite level soccer players (mean; age: 21.8 years; height: 180.4 cm;
weight: 75.7 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Participants were from the same soccer
club, covered all playing positions, and had no current injury issues. Participants performed two
familiarization sessions to acquaint themselves with the device and exercise protocol. During testing,
each participant performed three repetitions with 60s intra-set recovery provided. Average and peak
force (N) was recorded for both limbs. Testing sessions took place on the same day and time over
a two-week pre-season period and followed a full recovery day. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient
(ICC), Coefficient of Variation (CV%), Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) and Typical Error (TE)
were used to assess reliability. The HEL showed excellent reliability for average force (N) in the left
(ICC (95% CI) = 0.9 (0.7–0.97); TE = 14.1 N, CV% = 1.87; MDC = 39.06 N) and right (ICC (95% CI) =
0.91 (0.73–0.97); TE = 20.89 N, CV% = 3.26; MDC = 57.87 N) limb, and also excellent reliability for
peak force in the left (ICC (95% CI) = 0.91 (0.71–0.97); TE = 13.55 N, CV% = 1.61; MDC = 57.87 N)
and right (ICC (95% CI) = 0.9 (0.7–0.97); TE = 21.70 N, CV% = 3.31; MDC = 60.11 N) limb. This data
suggests the HEL as a reliable measure of both ECC hamstring strength and inter-limb asymmetries.
Practitioners should consider the HEL
eccentric (ECC) hamstring strength is a potential modifiable risk factor, therefore having reliable
eccentric hamstring strength assessments is critical. The aim of this study was to access test–retest
reliability of the hip extension lower (HEL) exercise as a measure of ECC hamstring strength and interlimb
asymmetries. Twelve male elite level soccer players (mean; age: 21.8 years; height: 180.4 cm;
weight: 75.7 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Participants were from the same soccer
club, covered all playing positions, and had no current injury issues. Participants performed two
familiarization sessions to acquaint themselves with the device and exercise protocol. During testing,
each participant performed three repetitions with 60s intra-set recovery provided. Average and peak
force (N) was recorded for both limbs. Testing sessions took place on the same day and time over
a two-week pre-season period and followed a full recovery day. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient
(ICC), Coefficient of Variation (CV%), Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) and Typical Error (TE)
were used to assess reliability. The HEL showed excellent reliability for average force (N) in the left
(ICC (95% CI) = 0.9 (0.7–0.97); TE = 14.1 N, CV% = 1.87; MDC = 39.06 N) and right (ICC (95% CI) =
0.91 (0.73–0.97); TE = 20.89 N, CV% = 3.26; MDC = 57.87 N) limb, and also excellent reliability for
peak force in the left (ICC (95% CI) = 0.91 (0.71–0.97); TE = 13.55 N, CV% = 1.61; MDC = 57.87 N)
and right (ICC (95% CI) = 0.9 (0.7–0.97); TE = 21.70 N, CV% = 3.31; MDC = 60.11 N) limb. This data
suggests the HEL as a reliable measure of both ECC hamstring strength and inter-limb asymmetries.
Practitioners should consider the HEL
| Original language | English (Ireland) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Biomechanics |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2022 |
Keywords
- ECC hamstring strength
- hamstring strain injury
- hip extension lower
- reliability